1 Peter 5:10
“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
Businesses will often include in their advertising “established 1942”. This communicates much. They aren’t new, but have stood the test of time. They have satisfied customers at a level of quality that their is repeat business. A business has purpose. They provide good service and/or a product. There is a respect that’s present.
God wants to establish us. There are many stages that are involved. It’s like constructing a building. The stages are purpose, planning, construction, grand opening, use, repairs and upgrades. God has a purpose for us. He created and gifted us for it. The blueprints drawn up are from Him. Then comes the shovels; construction begins. As we walk with Christ through this process, we get a good sense of our kingdom purpose.
What’s our kingdom purpose? It’s tied in with our design, gifts and passion. It’s present in all we do. If we’re students, it’s seen in our integrity and effort. If we are employed, the same is true. It’s seen in our relationships. If we’re a parent, we are patient and caring. And on and on.
To be established involves more than purpose. Our character is the other half. Galatians 5 speaks of the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…” This is the content of who we are. Like the labels on food. While we all have a different purpose, we have the same content. As we become more established, our content and purpose is more evident.
Being established is like the grand opening. It’s a “point in time” when a building is open for use. It’s more of a season for us. Much like a person growing to maturity. It’s not that we aren’t used by Him prior. Once established, we are more mature with greater depths and more sides to us.
Lord, thank You that You want to establish us. Help us to work with you in the process