Pursuing God’s Agenda

“So Jesus said to them, truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.” John 5:19 (ESV)

Looking back over my life, I’ve seen seasons where I was on fire for God, doing His will, pursuing His agenda, and seeking His face. I’ve also had seasons where it was about my agenda, what I wanted, and what I thought it should be. Then, if I’m honest, I’ve seen seasons of my life, where it was about pursuing the agenda of others, to the point that I put seeking God’s face and His will in the backseat.

We are created by God to do His will, and there are seasons in life where we’ve lost our passion for Him, His cause, and His agenda. It’s not that He has changed, but that our focus has shifted from Him to us, me, I, and my. It has changed from pleasing Him to pleasing our flesh. I’ve found that there have been times when the agenda I pursued had absolutely nothing to do with God. It sounded godly, but it was not of God. As believers, we have become almost experts at pursuing an agenda unrelated to God. The enemy deceives us into thinking that we have a cause. There are also times when we use hurt to drive our agenda and it’s dangerous for a believer to be in that state. Instead of properly diagnosing the hurt, and dealing with it, we allow it to become the driving force for what we want, and our desires. We would think it’s God-given, but in actuality, it’s our flesh that’s driving our cause.

Jesus pursued God’s agenda for His life. There were times when others tried to trap Him by asking Him questions about paying taxes (Matthew 22:15-22). Jesus always would answer with wisdom. In the same way, when we are pursuing God’s agenda, let us be wise in our answers when the enemy tries to trap us. It’s important for us to spend time with Jesus, seeking the face of the Father so that we can know what His agenda, and His will is for our lives. The more time we spend with the Lord, we become more aware of how much we need to reflect His will for our lives. Don’t fall into the trap of the enemy by gossiping about our brothers and sisters, and don’t try to redefine gossip by saying ‘we just talking about the situation.’ If in talking about the situation, you are pulling down the character of the person, or if you can’t say to their face what is being said in private, it’s best not to say it at all. We must learn to love and forgive like Jesus. Our agenda blinds us and when we don’t pay attention to the little foxes, the besetting sins, we become poor witnesses of Jesus Christ.

Daughters of Fire, I want to remind you to be reminded of Whose you are and why you were created. Don’t burn yourself out trying to prove to anyone that you can do it too. Don’t allow others to drag you along with their personal agendas that you know aren’t godly. I want to remind you Daughters, that not every good thing is a God thing. Be encouraged and stand firm, for Your Lord is with you. You are never alone. Be bold and courageous and take a stand for the Lord. Don’t fall into the trap of gossiping, slandering a person’s character, tearing others down, laughing about it, and then going about your day like the Lord does not see or hear. Don’t be afraid to speak out against what’s right and what’s wrong just to fit in. Remember, that you will stand before the Lord one day and will have to give an account to Him. “Be not deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.” Galatians 6:7 (ESV)

I used to be a mean Christian, one who gossiped about the very people that I was praying for. I used to believe that other people’s agenda was God’s agenda, I really thought it was His will, and I was deceived for years. In recommitting my walk to the Lord, in spending more time with Him, I was greatly convicted and I was so sorrowful and I had to repent. I had betrayed the Lord’s trust in me, as His child and as an intercessor. I was broken. I was irresponsible and I knew that the Lord was displeased with me. I had to go back to basics in my relationship with the Lord. I saw what a terrible person I had become and my constant prayer has become ‘Change my heart oh God.’ He is doing a great work in my life. His kindness to me is something I still don’t understand, because I don’t deserve it. I thank Him for His grace in my life. I am so blessed that He loves me unconditionally, and I thank Him for His work in my life.

There’s no way that we spend time with Jesus, seeking His face and we remain the same. In His Presence we are transformed, we want to please Him more. We want our ways to reflect His ways, and our character to reflect His character. Daughters of Fire, seek God’s agenda, His will, His standard for your life. Don’t allow others and their selfish agendas to cause you to displease the Lord and live in sin. Please God with the way you talk and love others. Those who have experienced God’s grace, love, and mercy, should have a desire to share it with others. May the Lord be pleased with you and me, as we live our lives pursuing His ways and His will. May every agenda that is not of God be like the chaff that the wind drives away. May we be like Jesus, only seeking to do the will of the Father.