WHAT STIRS YOU? | Northstar Church

“Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the LORD.” – Ezra 1:5.

Ezra 1 is symbolic of how the Lord works in our lives. Judges 13:25 says, “And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir Him…(Samson)” Haggai 1:14 says, And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,”

We see that many times when the Lord stirs someone, He is preparing them to be used for His glory. He doesn’t shake them carelessly with little thought to the mess or timing of the process. No, He carefully stirs their hearts to action.

Just about everyone has heard the story of David and Goliath: The Israeli army was outmatched and taunted by a literal giant of a man. That’s when David, a young, inexperienced shepherd boy, showed up. It didn’t take long before he was so outraged and offended by Goliath’s taunting of the Israelite army that he volunteered to fight.

What moved David to act so as to risk his life? David knew the freedom and liberty of his people were at stake. He probably also thought about the impact a loss would have on the people he loved. But there was something more – something greater that moved David from the sidelines to the frontline. The final straw was hearing Goliath taunt and shame the one true living God. The honor and name of God were at stake, and that was what moved David to action.

What stirs you to action? Is it injustice? The Spirit’s prompting? A call for help? Becoming aware of how you could make a difference? Seeing an opportunity? The Lord stirs the hearts of His people to become involved with Him in making a difference in the world.

You see, God has been stirring His people to action since the beginning of time. God stirs, and we respond. No one knows what tomorrow holds no matter how well they plan or predict. But the one thing that always holds true is the faithfulness of God. His Goodness never runs out. His Grace keeps flowing. His Provision for your life is endless. God is madly, deeply, hopelessly, and powerfully in love with you. So strive to live for God. When we respond, He blesses us.

If God stirs you, pay attention to that stirring. Allow it to produce motion in you. Act on the stirring and expect God to meet you in that very place of being stirred. He is faithful. He will meet you there.

Let God make the changes He desires for your life. He wants to use you. You just have to get stirred up.

Discussion Questions:

It is not difficult to get stirred – it is difficult to stay stirred. Agree or disagree and why?
One of the hardest things in serving the Lord is keeping your own heart stirred about the work you have been given to do. We all struggle with it. How do we change that?
In what ways is God stirring you this week?