Levi (Matthew), I choose you...

The other day I was spending time with the Lord in the book of Mark. I felt this rush of creativity come over me and I wanted to write. I was taken by the fact that when Jesus called His disciples, they didn't hesitate to follow Him immediately, even when they knew nothing about Him.

I saw in Mark 2 when Jesus "saw Levi...and said to him, 'Follow me.' And he rose and followed Him," and I immediately wondered what could have possibly been going through Jesus' mind and Levi's mind. So...I wrote this from Jesus' perspective.

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"I knew you before the beginning of time. I knit you together in your mother's womb. I fashioned you and chose your every wrinkle. I knew each hair on your head, and I still do--even though you've lost a few.

I placed you into a family--not just any family--a family of tax collectors who lived in Capernaum by the sea. I sustained you as you hated me and sinned against me in your heart of stone. I gave you breath as you went from house to house collecting money that wasn't yours. I ordered your steps to the tax booth that day. I even allowed your legs to bend so you could sit there and wait for me.

You had no clue. You were sick and in need of a doctor. You needed a heart transplant. In fact, you were dead and needed to be brought to life.
So, when I saw you at the tax booth, I wasn't surprised you saw me too. In the midst of the noisy crowd our eyes met. I looked at you, even through you, and said, "Follow me." You rose and followed me and that, was it. I made you for that moment.

Levi, I chose you before you ever were. I used you to introduce me to the table of tax collectors and sinners for my glory. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners, and you happened to be one of them. One whom I chose and whom I love. This was the plan from the beginning. I knew you wouldn't question me when I said 'Follow me,' for I am the Lord of Lords and I have called you. Don't ask me why I chose a tax collector. You will soon see why. I will open your understanding that my blood covers all. And even when I go, keep following me. And you will because I lose none that the Father has given me."

Jesus, that's who

I apologize it has been so long. God has done so much since my last post. I think it is fitting that my last post was asking our great God for great things. God has done just that...great things.

I am going to Uganda in a month.

This opportunity literally came out of nowhere and happened so quickly. God made it evident that I was to go immediately in obedience to Him. I learned about this opportunity on a Sunday night and by Tuesday night I had committed to going and by Wednesday the Lord had already provided $450 (all within 45 minutes). By Thursday I had the $1,000 "goal" needed for the following week. It is now a month before my trip and I have $1,000 OVER the full amount needed. God is SO very faithful and surely has great plans for this trip!

If you'd like to read more about this opportunity please visit my fund raising page. Uganda

But this post isn't about my trip; it's about my great God. Who is this God who loves us so much? Who is this God who stepped out of heaven to live life in the flesh like those He created? Who is this God who bore His own wrath for sinners and died on a tree, rose Himself from the grave, and went to prepare a place for us?

Who is He?

Jesus Christ.

"...Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen."

"'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'" (Revelation 1:5-8)

This is who He is. I tremble and rejoice at the sound of His Name. The great 'I AM.'