‘When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you; your troubles will not overwhelm you. When you pass through the fire, you will not be burnt; the hard trials that come will not hurt you. ‘ Isaiah 43:2 GNB

Perhaps this is a title you were not expecting to read this morning? If you read through you will understand why I say this. Just because you have discovered your purpose does not mean your road will be smooth and straightforward. Our study text tells us this. There will be deep waters, fires, and hard trials. As a matter of fact, things could actually get a little more challenging because of your commitment to serve in God`s kingdom and the enemy will do whatever he can to veer you off the road.

Not even Jesus’ calling was a walk in the park. There was a death decree from the day Jesus was born. Then talk about rejection, betrayal, and men out to kill you because you are everything that they have been waiting for but now that you are here they accuse you of being a fraud. Or maybe Abraham who God called and told to move away from his family and everything else that was familiar and move to a place God was going to show him. We are not told of any other conversation between God and Abraham until 10 years. What about Moses? Who after he stepped into his purpose, struggled with self-doubt when God asked him to go back where men were out to kill him.

Or maybe let’s ask a man after God’s own heart. Oh did he tell you after God had called him, another anointed man of God pursued him to try and kill him that he even pretended to be insane. Or maybe Paul can seal this conversation from his experience. Moving from the persecutor to the persecuted to work side by side with his former enemy, God. Then further tortured and spend time behind bars.

So today as you go through what doesn’t seem to align with ‘what God said about your calling, remember these men of great faith. God did not promise them a smooth path, and be rest assured He doesn’t promise us that either. Instead, what’s sure is that He is right there with us. God has not forsaken you one bit. However things may look today, whether where you are was intentional or unintentional, God is working out His purpose for your life. You are exactly where you need to be.