The Chosen Servant

A passage that has grown to be one of my favorites over the last few months is Isaiah 42:1-9.  The title of this passage (in NLT) is "The Lord's Chosen Servant".  I love the preceding passages, as they share how we are CHOSEN by God.  This passage dives in further to display the characteristics of the Lord's CHOSEN servant.

It reads (v1-4):  "Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.  He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.  A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.  In faithfulness, he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.  In his teaching the islands will put their hope. "

Today, I was at an incredible church worshipping the Lord!  The entire service was in Spanish, and as you very well know I do not speak any Spanish!  Thankfully, another teacher at Pinares, was willing to write down a simple translation, so I could follow along.  The sermon was good; however, while waiting for her translations, the Lord brought me to this passage that I have taken to heart.  As I was reading, I was especially struck by verse 2: "He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets."  With language being my biggest obstacle in Honduras, I feel bound in my inability to speak Spanish, as I cannot share my excitement for Jesus with others.  It is often very frustrating, but today God reminded me that His chosen servant does not raise his voice.  The servant of the Lord lives humbly and displays the love of Christ with his very life.  I may not speak Spanish (yet!), but God can still use my life as a testimony for Him.   How much more powerful would it be to live out the Love of Christ through EVERYTHING we do!  Back in the States, it was "easy" to share Christ because I could use words to explain His impact in my life.  I desperately want the children of Honduras to know Him!  However, God is teaching me daily to leave this piece to Him.  He knows I can't communicate via words, but He is still shining in every smile, hug or "Buenos Dias" I may give.  May my life RADIATE the very presence of God.

vs 6-8:  "I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand.  I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness."

God has called all of us and will guide us as we spread the Gospel to a world in need!  What a privilege and honor to be used so He might open eyes of the blind and free the captives!  Wherever you are, remember that God wants to use and will use your very lifestyle to spread His love to the nations!

St. Francis of Assisi said it well, "Preach the gospel to the nations.  If necessary, use words!"  May our very lives be that of Christ in us and may we live out his love with everything we do!

Praying for strength and boldness in all of us, as we live out this high calling! :)