As we embark on this new adventure of 2021, many people are constructing goals and making resolutions. Some are assessing things accomplished in 2020, areas where progress was made with more needed, and those things that were on the list but were never touched. People resolve to do better with health issues, relationships, work/life balance, prayer, Bible reading, time management, and a host of other things. Those types of things can all be very helpful.
Over the holidays I was reading in Doug Jakubowski’s book, Living with Scars: A Jew Who Knows Our Suffering. Doug is a Hebrew scholar, teacher, author, and has served as a pastor. He also happens to be the father of our daughter-in-law, Joy Barnes. Being a Hebrew scholar, he has a special ability to make references from the Old Testament come alive for readers.
I believe a small section of his book contains the key to significant accomplishment and great fulfillment in 2021. Doug was sharing about Moses, as you well know, out on the backside of the desert in Midian. Moses encounters a bush that is burning, but is not being consumed. (Exodus 3) The Lord speaks to Moses from the bush, “Moses, Moses.” Moses responds, “Here I am.” Jakubowski explains that the word that Moses used to say, “Here I am,” is the Hebrew word, Hineni. The word Hineni actually means: “I am here for you, or, I surrender. Whatever you want from me, I will do.” In other words, Moses gave God far more than his geographical location. He gave him a blank check on his life.
Doug explains that further Old Testament study shows that this was the same response given to God by Samuel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. Could it be that this is the exact response God was looking for? He certainly chose to use Moses, Samuel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah in monumental ways! I would argue that their willingness to surrender is what made God willing to use them mightily.
There is the real key to an amazing 2021 and beyond. We say to the Lord, “Here I am. I am here for you, or, I surrender. Whatever you want from me, I will do.”
Lord, whatever you want.
Your will.
Your way.
Your time.
Your purpose.
You, Lord, get all the glory.
Offer yourself up to him without reservation – and prepare to be used by him as never before.
Leave a Reply