The First with Promise

Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of mine and of beast: it is mine.   Exodus 13:2


Set apart.  Called for a specific purpose by God, Jehovah himself.

God has called Israel, the least of all the nations of the earth, to be His own specially chosen people.

Go forward to the book of Exodus and God now calls all the firstborn of man and beast to be His very own.  Does the Almighty  have a special plan for them?  Yes.  Which begs me to question, "Does God have a special plan for me."

Being the firstborn of my family I have long since set the example of obedience and leadership to my younger siblings.  When I was reckless they saw it and did so themselves.  When I was kind and respectful to others and our parents, so to were they.  Most of the time I was on my best behavior.
Now as I have gotten older and had a family of my own, my firstborn, a daughter, was a constant presence at my side. My every move was closely scrutinized and imitated.  Sometimes with humorous results.  The change from being an example to the example was greater than I could have imagined.


"For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end."  (Jeremiah 29:11)


What does God have planned for such a person?  Are they to become a great visionary?  The doctor who cures cancer? An ambassador, or great ruler?  Only God knows.  There have been moments within my days that I wonder and ask God "What are your thoughts and plans for me?"
Growing up my aim was to just be a good son and an example to those around me.  The neighborhood I grew up in was full of adults that I looked up to.  Yet, I never knew was it because of who they were or who God was to them?  Truth be told, I emulated the adults outside of the church more than the ones within the church.  My spirituality was very minimal.  I had no idea.

Over the years I have come to know that God can use anyone to fulfill His plan in our lives, both believers and non-believers.  But the firstborn, called out especially by God, holds greater significance.  The firstborn sets the example and is the pattern by which those who follow, are measured by. 
Giving God the first of our day before we do anything, sets us up for the rest of the day.  We can pray, listen and expect God to do something great. That, as we read in Jeremiah 29:11 is the expected end. 
Souls for His kingdom is the expected end.
Taking the gospel message to all the world.
 

The Face of Christ

The mid-to-late 90's was a time of wondering and uncertainty for me.  I had lost my identity as a person.  For this period of time in my life, I had no hope and definitely no direction as to what to do or how to live from day to day. I merely existed.

But one day, while listening to a Christian radio station in my area, a song came on that spoke volumes to me.  The Face of Christ by Chris Rice.  The opening verse tugged at me.

He shares a room outside with a 

dozen other guys. And the only roof he knows 

is that sometimes starry sky.

A tattered sleeping bag on a concrete slab is 

his bed and its too cold to talk.

So i just sit with him instead and think

It is easy to become jaded when life seems hopeless. Family and friends turn against you and all your efforts to get back on your feet seem to fail.  Yet, in the darkness, there is a light.  For me that light was kindness of an unknown lady.  Let me share the account with you.  I was in Wilmington, Delaware and I had walked into a church and sat down in the rear next to a lady and her family.  I began to weep and shake from the burden I carried.  The lady to the right of me handed me a piece of paper asking "Are you ok?"  With a trembling hand, I wrote my response, "I am homeless."  During this whole time, i did not look towards her, nor did she look at me or ask questions.  As an act of great kindness, she put her hand on mine and gently rocked from side to side humming.  I stopped crying and shaking.  Peace instantly filled me and i was surrounded by a warmth i could not explain.  This lady saw past the dirty clothes and smell and comforted me. There was no verbal communication and after the service, she did not come after me when i left the church.  As i left the building I had a glimmer of hope.  Not to say in humanity, but God was telling me "Everything will be alright." 

Getting back to the song.  This song came to me 2 years after that encounter.  Although i did not see her face, I felt the compassion and knew she was praying for me.  It was that act of selflessness that turned the darkness away from me. A few months down the road i would weep again during a chapel service at the homeless shelter i was staying in.  A group of Christian men from the area sang a song called Nearer My God to Thee. During that time i committed myself to God.  I would say recommitted myself, but i was no closer to God growing up in the church than i was to the moon.

My journey began and I am now back in the arms of my Saviour.  Enjoy the song.