A Burning Stick...

My Sunday school class is studying the book of Zechariah.

I have read this book before, but if I am honest…I have never really studied it.

If I am completely honest…I probably have breezed through it, thinking I’m not sure how this will pertain to me!

So, I’m excited to read and study what God is saying in these scriptures, and how we can apply them in our daily lives!

Last Sunday, we were asked to read the third chapter of Zechariah and then share with the rest of the class what jumped out at us!

Several people shared different things, but when someone shared what was found in the second verse, I found looking back at the scripture to see what it said:

“Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him.  The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan!  The Lord, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you!  Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”…Zechariah 3:1-2.

Our teacher asked us what we thought Verse 2 two meant, which stated…

”Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

A few people shared different thoughts, but I was more intrigued by this following answer:

“This stick is us…me…plucked from the fire”!

And I agreed!

The discussion continued, and the following thoughts were shared!  (As best as I can remember them)!

When we were saved, Jesus plucked us from the fire!

We were a little burned…

A little scarred…

But we were saved!

I began to ponder this!

Even though we may be a little burned…a little tattered…God can use us for His glory! 

All we have to do is surrender to Him!

As I was continuing to think about this, another class member shared the following (again, as I best can remember it)!

“Though each of us is so thankful to be that burning stick that was plucked from the fire…what about the rest of the sticks in the fire?”

That hit me hard!

What do we…what do I do?

What is God calling me to do!

I know how blessed…how thankful…I am to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior!

But there are so many who do not know him!

They are still in that fire…and God desires each of them to be saved as well!

It’s easy for me to live in my own little world!

I am surrounded by family…friends…co-workers who know the Lord!

But I am also surrounded by so many who do not know him?

Am I reaching out to them?

Am I sharing the gospel with them?

Do my thoughts…words…actions convey my love for Jesus?

Am I sharing with those at work who don’t believe in God?

Or have I become complacent in this season of my life?

When my children were young and teenagers…I taught Sunday school!

I often led a group on Wednesday nights!

I worked with the Youth on Sunday nights and led a small group in my home!

I worked with little ones and teens for many years!

However, I stepped down from those responsibilities when I returned to school to complete my degree!

And quite honestly, after completing my degree…I haven’t really figured out where I am supposed to serve again.

And I know there are so many different areas I could be serving!

I have thought about it…prayed about it…but still don’t feel I have a clear direction as to how God wants me to serve in this season of my life!

But as I thought of all of the remaining branches burning in the fire…I realized I desire God to use me to help pull them out of the fire!

 So my prayer in the upcoming days/weeks will be…”Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening…”

I’m trusting God to show me where HE wants me to be…what HE wants me to do!

And I pray that my heart will be open and tender as I listen and wait…responding to His voice when I hear it!

I believe God desires to use each of us!

Dear Heavenly Father…thank you for speaking to me through your word…in my Sunday school class…through others as they shared their thoughts!  Thank you for pricking me heart…making me realize that even thought I am a little burned…You can still use me!  Show me where You would have me to serve in the days ahead!