Vision Logo Circle
Vision Logo Circle

Forgotten

by | Sun, Mar 4 2018

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When I was young—very young—I remember being in the supermarket with my mum. I was four years old and felt like a dwarf in the land of giants! Being the inquisitive young lass that I still am today, I wandered off to explore the fruit-and-veg section. Moments later, I realised I was completely lost. No matter which way I turned, I could not find my mum. Now even though I’d been the one who’d walked away, in that moment I felt totally forgotten. How could my mum forget me!? I wandered down a dark hall and ended up in a small lunch room with some older women who eventually helped return me to my mother. Nevertheless, I’ll never forget how that experience made me feel.

Forgotten.

A feeling which every human being experiences at some point in life. Whether it be at the supermarket at four years old, or from the invite list to a friend’s party at fourteen, or even being overlooked for a promotion you’re super qualified for at forty. At some point, we all feel forgotten. However, the way we perceive the situation will determine if we come out winning. It’s kind of a ‘glass half full… or empty’ scenario we’re talking about here. What do you see?

In Luke 2:43 we find the story of Mary and Joseph, making the long trek home after a huge festival. They thought Jesus was with them, so they travelled a whole day. A WHOLE DAY!?! That’s when they realise—Jesus is missing! After asking all their relatives if they’d seen Him, I imagine they would have turned to each other and said, ‘WE’VE LOST THE SON OF GOD! WE HAD ONE JOB!’ Eventually they travel all the way back to Jerusalem, and after looking high and low, they found Him in the temple.

So in verse 49—like all good mums, Mary says to Jesus (in the Chantelle translation) ‘JESUS! What are You trying to do to us? Look. Look at this. Grey hair. Yep! GREY! Yesterday it was black. Remember?! What are you trying to do to us, Son?’ And here is Jesus’ casual, peaceful response: ‘Why were you searching for Me?… Didn’t you know I had to be in My Father’s house?’ (Luke 2:49NIV)

And there you have it. Forgotten, but totally about His Father’s business. Overlooked, yet un-fazed.

When we understand the truth about who we really are, we champion and cheer for those who grow and begin to outrun us.

He continued about His calling.

I firmly believe that every hurt, every offence, every seed of self-doubt and unbelief, can be traced back to a lack of understanding about who we really are in Christ and how deeply we are really loved by the Father. Graham Cooke says it perfectly: ‘Every uncomfortable situation we find ourselves in is an opportunity for an upgrade in our identity.’

In the Kingdom of God, there’s no need for jealousy, insecurity or competing with others. There is room for everyone to shine! There’s no need to try and stop someone else from excelling for the fear that they might look better than us—that’s not Kingdom thinking!

When we understand the truth about who we really are, we champion and cheer for those who grow and begin to outrun us. We understand: ‘I am secure and safe and KNOWN intimately by the Father! It’s not about what I do, it’s about who I am—a child of God! Chosen and ransomed by Heaven, I am Daddy’s beloved.’

Remember this: What man gives, man can take away. But what God gives, no man can take away. That’s true for your calling, an opportunity, a blessing or an open door. ‘Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.’ (James 1:17NIV)

He is a good, good Father and He doesn’t change His mind about those He calls! Even if you feel forgotten by man, take Jesus’ lead and simply get about your Father’s business! Get busy with the call of God on your life! You have been called, chosen and set aside by the Creator of the universe Himself and if He believes in you, then you should too!

Maybe, like it happened for Joseph, God will use your process to set you up for the greatest moment of your life! Embrace the process! Thank God He loves you too much to let you stay the same! Trust Him! It is impossible for God to forget about you. It’s not in His nature. In fact he has pre-planned, pre-packaged and set you up for greatness! You are predisposed to WIN!

Some things are worth the wait, God is up to something great.