GRACE & TRUTH

Every person wants to make a difference. We are often unsure of how to do it. We suffer many days believing that we are insignificant, and most people battle feelings of lacking worth. When we get this way, we tend to be needy. We beg others for attention.

It is a sad digression to fall from a purposeful world changer to a whiny leech. You know the kind of person I’m talking about, right? Some need so much. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t care for people like that, but I hope to encourage us to find our adventurous side again and run after being healthy and helpful.

I believe our existence flows from three positions. We are here to discover identity, destiny and legacy. The person that everyone needs is someone who knows who they are, knows what they are capable of, and knows who they are here to help. The person in the Bible that embodies this purposeful living is Jonathan, Saul’s son.

Jonathan knew that his identity emerges from God. He was a man who listened to the Spirit’s leading and was ready to make grand steps when called. One day, his father, Saul, is announced as the first king of Israel. He literally woke up one day a prince. He wasn’t born a prince. He didn’t earn the prince’s title. One day by the leading of God, he becomes the first prince of Israel. He walked in that favor bringing honor to God and Israel daily.

A few years later, the nation found itself at war with the Philistines. He woke up that morning and said to his armor-bearer, “Let’s go defeat some Philistines today.” The two of them climbed the hill where the army was, and Israel took an incredible victory! Jonathan knew his destiny as a warrior and walked in courage during the battle that day.

Many years later, David, a close and intimate friend of Jonathan’s, was on the run from Jonathan’s father. Jonathan remained loyal to his father, but also honored the covenants he had made to keep David alive. One day when David was at his lowest, Jonathan got away from the camp to encourage David. Jonathan strengthened the hand of David. This is an action that David would need to do for himself the rest of his life. Jonathan taught David how to be ready for anything.

Jonathan was the type of man that every person needs. He trusted his identity to be formed by God and walked in favor. Prepared to accept his destiny in the Philistine battle, Jonathan courageously met his most intimidating challenge. He was a man of valor and honor. He knew that his real legacy wasn’t to be on a throne but to build the man who would follow his father. Legacy is not what you leave behind, it’s who you leave behind.

The person that everyone needs stands firmly in their identity, destiny and legacy. Someone needs you to be confirmed and comforted in who God designed you to be. When His design and your desires work together, the world is changed forever.

Pastor Emanuel Webb Hoggard is Pastor at Askewville Assembly of God. He can be reached via email at pastorwebb@hotmail.com.

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