Open & Expectant

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Saviour Jesus!

Last week we talked about how God handpicks people who seem insignificant to do great things. We talked about how obedience matters and that what enables us to be able to partner with God is our willingness to say yes to Him.

As I wrote last week’s message, I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 which says, “Brothers and sisters, consider who you were when God called you to salvation. Not many of you were wise scholars by human standards, nor were many of you in positions of power. Not many of you were considered the elite when you answered God’s call. But God chose those whom the world considers foolish to shame those who think they are wise, and God chose the puny and powerless to shame the high and mighty. He chose the lowly, the laughable in the world’s eyes—nobodies—so that he would shame the somebodies.

For he chose what is regarded as insignificant in order to supersede what is regarded as prominent, so that there would be no place for prideful boasting in God’s presence. For it is not from man that we draw our life but from God as we are being joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. And now he is our God-given wisdom, our virtue, our holiness, and our redemption. And this fulfills what is written: If anyone boasts, let him only boast in all that the Lord has done!”

As we look back on 2023, none of us can boast on our own greatness, but we can see God’s goodness and faithfulness through the year. As we head into 2024, I want to encourage you to not count yourself or talk yourself out of what God has for you.

Instead, look to Jesus, the author and the perfecter of our faith. What He starts, He always finishes. Whatever God has started in your life, He is faithful to finish it. But you have to be willing to go on the journey with Him. In 2024, give God your full and unconditional yes. Your yes will take work. Mary had to go through labour to birth Jesus, David had to face and fight Goliath and Jael had to grab the tent peg and do what needed to be done. When you say yes to God, it is not a time to sit back and “wait on God”. It is a time to get to work and find out why God has you in the earth. You are not here to fill a number quota. God has plans for your life, Jeremiah 29:11.

You are an important part of what God wants to do in the earth, in your city or in your family. Live your life open to God and expectant.

Have a happy New Year.

Love and blessings,

Melissa Tsingano.