God doesn’t set His people aside, He sets them apart

The time is now 4:07 p.m. and I have finally finished writing in my prayer journal, also known as my complainer journal. I began this journey in my journal somewhere around 8:30 a.m. this morning. I’ve battled all day. Today my journal reads more like one of David’s Psalms. I’m up, then I’m down. I’m complaining, then I’m praising. I’m hopeful God can handle my craziness. After all, He did so for David.

I’m in this season. It’s unlike a season I’ve been through so far in my faith journey. I’ve been across some spiritual deserts, I’ve walked through some valley moments, but this is new. This feels like spring. I love spring, I love the newness that spring brings. I’m expecting new life to come forth, but it’s the process happening underneath the ground that is more relatable to my season. It isn’t the beautiful blooms happening, it’s the seeds breaking open, the roots busting through the ground searching for water. This is how I’m feeling. It’s the thing happening that I can’t see, only feel. I’m eagerly waiting for a glimpse of a beautiful bloom, but I keep hearing, “Not yet, daughter, not yet.”

This place I’m in has been my residence for a solid year now. I thought for sure I’d be far past this and on to smelling the roses by now. Nope, still here and feeling a little crazy because of it.

If you’re a child of God, you’ve probably experienced one or two of His crazy requests before. Like walking through Walmart and Him prompting you to pray for or encourage a complete stranger, buying someone’s meal just because, quitting a job when it made way more sense to stay, or even buying diapers for a baby you weren’t sure you could conceive. Crazy stuff! Well, that crazy stuff has been a constant in my life the last year. He’s asked me to do some things that make NO sense in the flesh.

“Step down from leading at that church, Cassie. I have something for you, but you need to trust me right now.”

“Stop seeking speaking opportunities, Cassie.”

Me: “But God, that’s part of what I do!”

“Leave Facebook and Instagram, Cassie.”

Me again: “But God, how on earth will I market a book?”

“We’re going to do things differently, trust me, Cassie.”

And the list continues. I almost feel like a sixteen-year-old girl who is grounded. Not that I ever got ground at sixteen (I can sense an eye roll coming from my mother). But I feel like I’ve been benched, set aside, like God needs someone who’s doing a little better for the team.

I’ve struggled and asked why more times than I like to admit. God, why are you setting me aside when I’ve tried to be obedient? What did I do wrong? But God is so gracious to remind me, I didn’t DO anything wrong (this time). I’m not set aside, I’m set apart for the perfect time and opportunity. Like a seed in the spring, in due time I will bloom. But for now, He’s working on me underneath the soil. He’s breaking my hard shell, He’s causing my roots to dig deep in my relationship with Him so I’ll stand firm and will not waiver when I bloom. And ultimately, He’s creating an opportunity for those who are near me to see JESUS in me.

When all is said and done in this season, when my blooms blossom, it will be clear that it’s nothing I did, it was ONLY Jesus. It was ONLY by the mighty hand of God working in and through me. I’m nothing but a willing seed that God saw fit to use and create something beautiful with. It may not be something big and flashy, but if it’s kingdom business, it’s worth it. He may have me in this season strictly to build my character, HIS character in me, to show kindness at just the right time. To love the unlovable, to show patience to the lost. The gardener knows what He’s doing, we just have to trust the process.

Friend, I don’t know what or if God is asking you to do something crazy, and if He is, I can’t guarantee you that your obedience will be painless.

Now may be a good time to remind you that Jesus’ obedience wasn’t all rainbows and butterflies either. And my obedience has been far from anything easy. I wrestle daily. But despite how it hurts, despite the fear that tries to creep in, despite the looks you may get, I know one thing for certain; God doesn’t set HIS people aside, He sets them apart! (Psalm 4:3, 1 Peter 2:9)

You, friend, are set apart. I am set apart. And in due time, WE will bloom.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither — whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV)

Cassie Downs, formerly of the Ellsinore area, is a speaker and the author of Chasing Jesus.