Yours for the Taking
I tossed aside another wedding invitation, got another text message about my friend’s graduate school acceptance, saw yet another pregnancy announcement, and agonized over another Facebook “in a relationship” status change that overwhelmed my news feed. I said farewell to a close friend as he got to travel cross-country. Then, stood in line to purchase a graduation gift for my friend entering medical school and went for a ride in my friend’s brand new Chevy truck.
And all I could ask God was…“When will it be my turn?“
“Lord, when will I be the bride and not the bridesmaid? When can I post one of those adorable, creative pregnancy announcements on Facebook? When will I get to post picture after picture on Instagram of my own children? When will I get to go shopping for my housewarming party or test drive a new car? It is so painful to celebrate and ‘rejoice with those who rejoice’ watching them get exactly what I long for myself. When will it be my turn?”
Then it happened. My mighty, beautiful Savior gently rebuked my selfish heart interrupting my nagging, complaining spirit with these words…
“I am yours for the taking”
The weekend message at church covered Matthew 20 where James and John ask Jesus to be at the right and left hand of the throne of God. It was a very timely message as my pastor taught that selfish ambition has no place in the kingdom of God and true greatness comes not by comparing your calling to others but by being faithful stewards with what God has entrusted to you now.
I have been entrusted with a calling specific only to me. I have a God-given, personalized calling given to me alone. Yet I am comparing that to others. I’m jealous of what they have.
Conviction set in quick as I read Scripture after Scripture about the dangers of jealousy, the lack of love that I exhibit by being envious, and the brutal, honest reality admitting my discontentment with God and His gifts for me. How dare I be so ungrateful when I have a Heavenly Father who desires to give good gifts to His beloved daughter and who delights to give me every good and perfect gift under heaven.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights… -James 1:17
God has given us so many promises. God isn’t just a promise giver, but a promise keeper. All throughout Scripture, we read several of God’s promises yet our flesh and wicked sinfulness tells us lies that those written promises aren’t for us, but for someone else. The truth is that every promise is “yours for the taking”.
In 1 Samuel 21, as King Saul is becoming more and more jealous because of David’s great renown throughout the country for his conquests against the Philistines, he is overcome by envy so much so that he wants to kill David. In an effort to save himself, David in fear, goes to Ahimelech the priest worrying and doubting God’s faithfulness to him. There, he is reminded of His beautiful promises. Wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod lies a sword. Not just any sword…but Goliath’s sword.
“The priest replied, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you killed in the Valley of Elah, is here; it is wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you want it, take it; there is no sword here but that one.” David said, “There is none like it; give it to me.” -1 Samuel 21:9
What a beautiful illustration for us. We must remember what God has done in the past and have faith that it is the same God who will move mightily in the future. Remind yourself of God’s past faithfulness and the battles won in your favor and know that He has promised us the greatest of all gifts: Himself.
All of God’s promises are available to me. If I want it, I can take it. Whether I am running towards Him or not, the promise is mine, because where I go, there God is. I may not always see Him, but I can always find Him. Wherever I am, He is with me. Being aware of His presence is embracing the most available promise. God’s promises are always available in His wonderful presence.
If you want it, take it. It’s yours for the taking.
My response to God, to His promises, ought to be just like David’s…“there is none like it; GIVE IT TO ME!” A promise of God cannot be earned, cannot be obtained by performance or works, but it can be embraced and it can be taken. An unclaimed promise is a forfeited blessing. I never want to be comfortable or complacent with my selfish jealousy or discontentment when I have accepted the greatest promise of Jesus Christ and His presence in my life. He’s all mine for the taking.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am a twenty-something Tucson native saved by the overwhelming grace of Christ. I have a bachelors in Chemistry from the University of Arizona and currently work in a research lab while also pursuing my masters degree. I love creating videos for my church, listening to country music, camping and hiking, binge watching Gilmore Girls and spontaneous road trips. My favorite days consist of a great cup of coffee, a good book, and a comfy chair watching the rain pour. I long to see young women thrive in relationships with Jesus knowing He always has immeasurably more in store for us.