Change how you are defined
Have you ever been marked because of something in your life, and then tried to change that perception? The change can be hard, and even unfair. The Bible book 1 Chronicles chapter 4 verses 9 and 10 talk about a man whose mark was so deep that it was the meaning of his name. He didn’t want the mark, and decided that although he couldn’t change what he was called, his name, he could change how he was defined.
How did he do it? He changed how he was seen, and how he saw himself. To change how he was seen, he figured out who people around him perceived as being better than he was and worked to make himself better than that perception. Changing how he saw himself involved turning to God and asking specifically for the definition that he wanted to become his reality.
The first change he made was accomplished through hard work and discipline – decision and behavior. This is good of course, but discipline must be intentionally maintained. The second change was more significant because it transformed who he was. At that point, all he had to do was live.
You can do that too! Bring all of your marks to God, ask specifically for the definition that you want to be your reality, and let Him change how you are defined (1 John 1:9). After that, all you have to do is live.
Vice President & Executive Director at Just Another Ministry
5 年Sometimes God will surprise you if you ask Him to "enlarge your territory", as Jabez did. I asked Him to enlarge my territory after I started volunteering to teach a Bible study for two hours a week in one building of the local state prison last year. Now I am a full time volunteer chaplain at that unit, with responsibilities all over the 2,000 man unit. He enlarged my territory indeed!