Hidden Impact

Hidden Impact 

Today is day 1 of our monthly fast! WHOO HOO! Next month's theme is IMPACT. 

According to collinsdictionary. com to impact a situation, process, or person means to affect them. Impact can be positive or negative. 

All our experiences leave some form of an impact. Think about where you were born, when, how?  Are you from a small family or a large family? Have you lived in the city of the suburbs? What high school did you attend? These questions if explored carefully, can lead us back to where certain thought patterns or behaviors may have originated. And in order for us to have an impact that honors God we must first explore what has impacted us, because it affects our perception or self and ultimately our identity. 

Hidden impacts are birthed from experiences overtime. These experiences that aren't pondered over leave a lasting impression, so much so that it affects our thoughts and behaviors. Knowing which situations that have caused hidden impact is important because it is a point of prayer for God to restore and transform us. 

Let's take a look at the story of King Saul. God told Samuel that Saul was to be anointed king of Isreal. Samuel told Saul "and for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father’s household?” 1 Samuel 9:20. 

Saul responds “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the [e]tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?” 1 Samuel 9:20

This is important to note. 

The Hebrew word for smallest in the above passage is qatan. Qatan means small, insignificant, young, unimportant. This was Saul's perception of himself. And though Saul became king of Isreal, that perception of self later informed his lack of obedience. 1 Samuel 15:17 reads " Samuel said, is it not true though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Isreal?" And the Lord anointed you king of Isreal. Samuel 15:19 reads "why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord, but rushed upon the spoil and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord?"

The above verses highlight, that though God may position us in a place of impact, having an identity established, rooted and steadfast in him is imperative. We don't know why Saul perceived himself and his family as insignificant. It may have been something  he over heard, or it may have been the way they were treated. However it was established, it impacted Saul. And though Saul was chosen king that mindset of inferiority impacted him greatly to the point that he feared that David would take the kingship from his son Johnathan so he sought David's life. 

We're not in Saul's position. But we can resonate with having experiences that may have shaped our perception of self and even God. Today let us think about any habits, coping mechanisms, thought patterns  and behaviors we have that are contrary to our new identity in Christ. Let us renounce and repent of any words we may have spoken or deeds we may have partaken in that dishonors our Heavenly Father. And may we pray to come into agreement with the truth of His word. 

In our surrender there is healing, deliverance, freedom, and peace. 

Lord make us over again

Read, meditate and pray the scriptures below

Psalm 51: 10

"Create [j]in me a clean heart, O God, And renew [k]a steadfast spirit within me."

Psalm 23: 3

"He restores my soul; He guides me in the [c]paths of righteousness 

For His name’s sake."

1 Peter 2: 9 

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"

As we begin our fast today, let us start with a heart of repentance. Let us pray that God would reveal to us patterns of thinking and behaviors that don't align with His Word. Cry out to your Heavenly Father. He knows everything there is to know about us and He still chose us. He now wants our vulnerability. Hallelujah!

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