Do you operate with a sense of purpose?
Did you know that box turtles operate with a sense of purpose?
Several years ago, during my commute to work when I lived in Oklahoma, I heard a report that made it clear that turtles operate with a sense of purpose.
At the time there were many people who had started to assist box turtles when discovering them crossing a busy street or highway.
The reporter remarked that if you decide to stop and assist a box turtle cross the road you must make sure you move that turtle to the side of the road the turtle was facing when you found it.
Why?
Because if you place them opposite of where they were heading, they will turn around and resume traveling in the direction they had intended to go before you moved them.
Do you see what I mean?
Turtles live with purpose.
We may not understand how or why a turtle is living with such a strong purpose drive.
How does living with a sense of purpose connect with a call to gather the people in Joel 2:16?
Read Joel 2:16:
ESV gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
This verse follows a trumpet blast in Joel 2:15 that instructed the community to start a holy fast and plan a sacred assembly.
Remember this is not about fasting from food or drink since the community had no food due to locusts, drought, and fire as detailed in Joel 1.
Also remember the trumpet blast back in Joel 2:1 had been a warning that the Lord was coming with His heavenly army in judgement of them.
Thankfully, Joel 2:12 announced that there was still hope if the community returned whole heartedly to the Lord.
Now in Joel 2:15 and following we are being given the instructions of what a wholehearted return to the Lord entails.
Read Joel 2:16 again:
ESV gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
The community is not only being told to gather but to consecrate themselves.
What does it mean to be consecrated?
Given the context of Joel, to be consecrated is to devote oneself irrevocably to the worship of God by a solemn ceremony.
In other words, the Lord is calling them to be as determined as a box turtle regarding their relationship with Him.
The Lord is calling them, and us today, to be irrevocably devoted to Him.
The Lord is calling them to live with a sense of spiritual purpose.
Is anyone exempt from this call?
Read Joel 2:16 again:
ESV gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
Who is told to assemble in this verse?
- Elders
- Children
- Nursing infants
- Bridegrooms
- Brides
Why are nursing infants highlighted?
From a practical point of view for everyone to participate one would need to bring a nursing infant because you should not leave them by themselves.
Why are bridegrooms and brides highlighted?
Read Deuteronomy 24:5:
ESV “When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be liable for any other public duty. He shall be free at home one year to be happy with his wife whom he has taken.
The point here is that the situation in Joel is so serious that even the usual exemption for recently married couple is to be usurped by the call to return to the Lord wholeheartedly with the rest of the community.
In other words, relationship with the Lord should take priority over anything else.
- Do you live with this sense of spiritual purpose?
- What does it look like to live with this sense of spiritual purpose?
- Are you listening for the Lord’s instruction when he asks you to spiritually cross a road?
- Do you stay committed to cross that spiritual road even if something temporarily detains you that is beyond your control?
Just like the Judeans in Joel our hearts can stray from the Lord.
May I challenge you this week to memorize Joel 2:16 as a reminder to stay the course in your spiritual relationship with the Lord?
In the words of Paul:
ESV Acts 20:24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
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- Names and Their Meaning: Joel 1:1
- Breaking News : Joel 1:2
- Sharing Stories : Joel 1:3
- Current Crisis : Joel 1:4
- Shortages Today : Joel 1:5
- Gone Viral : Joel 1:6
- Vulnerable: Joel 1:7
- Heartbreak: Joel 1:8
- Cut Off: Joel 1:9
- What is Essential? Joel 1:10
- Shame, Distress, or Despair Joel 1:11
- What is Joy? Joel 1:12
- Dressing for Spiritual Leadership Joel 1:13
- Crying Out Joel 1:14
- Perspectives and Opinions Joel 1:15
- Emotions Joel 1:16
- Neglect Joel 1:17
- Even the Sheep Suffer Joel 1:18
- Fire Joel 1:19
- Soul Thirst Joel 1:20
- It’s Coming! Joel 2:1
- Thunderstorms Joel 2:2
- Hard Times Joel 2:3
- Power Joel 2:4-5
- Overwhelmed Joel 2:6
- Action Joel 2:7-9
- Earthquake and Eclipse Joel 2:10
- Endurance Joel 2:11
- Hope or Despair Joel 2:12
- Sincerity Joel 2:13-14
- Call to Attention Joel 2:15