70 - "Step Into Your Calling Even If the World Recognizes You As Returnable" Numbers 3-

#59 Step into your calling even if the world might recognize you as returnable. Numbers 3:34. #60000thoughts #talkingtomyself

Numbered.  Assigned.  Appointed.  The total tribe of Levi is in place.  The able-bodied soldiers ready.  The organization is impeccable.  "The Merarites were but 6200 in all, and yet of these there were 3200 serviceable men, that is, more than half." Numbers 3:34.  Soldiers were called at 20.  Ministers were called at 30---an honor for those more in the prime of life. May we step into our calling even when the world may recognize us as returnable. I feel that way from the church community at large---not worth much anymore. I certainly feel that way from the medical field---it happened after we hit 70. Just my perception. I may be wrong. 

One commentary said that "the least of the tribes had almost four times as many able men as the Levites, and some of them more than eight times as many.  Matthew Henry's commentary says the application for today is that there are way more of those engaged in the service of this world and warring after their flesh than those who are devoted to the service of God and fighting the good fight of faith. The road is truly narrow and the followers are few.  Walk the narrow road.

Mark 12 answers the question how to walk the narrow road. Controlled by the love of God---it's the motivation that makes us give, live, love. It is not an act of our will.  It is a transformation of the motives of our heart. What really resides in us as we try to be good?  My thoughts give me away.  

Are we striving really hard to be good so God will bless us?  Yet, inside rumbles and rages cruel thoughts, comparing ourselves to others, conclusions that we are never sure about ourselves or we're good enough.  Self-obsessed.  

It is not about applying the moral law to our hearts through an act of our will.
Far too much we are striving to be good, live good, act good.  

       No man knows how bad he is
        until he has tried very hard to be good.  C. S. Lewis

We are rescued from ourselves.  
Safe.  Secure.  
New Motivation...
The Motivation of Gratitude... 
for it's the Spousal Love of our God 
that transforms us to love with all of our heart & soul & mind & strength.  
So how can we find that kind of Strength to live and love this day from our heart & soul & mind & strength?

PHOTO:  A Roman mural on our Latin class trip to Rome.  I cannot fathom mustering 600,000+ and yet, they fight the good fight with less than their neighbors.  And they maintain order.  And this is phenomenal.  And this is God. #love #validation