We continually ask for things from the Lord.  Give me a heart for the nations.   Give me a passion for serving, teaching, preaching, worship, etc.  Give me wisdom, discernment, revelation.  But has not the Lord already put these things in us?  Perhaps it's not a question of receiving something we don't have - because that implies we have to do something to get it.  Perhaps the Lord has already given us all we need, and our prayer should be for Him to awaken what's inside of us.  To fan it into flame.

In His timing, He awakens specific spiritual gifts, specific passions, specific doors of opportunity - for such a time as this.  Perhaps these things have been a part of us since He created us.  In His wisdom He's been cultivating these attributes, watering them, pruning them - so when He's ready, these things spring up, blossom, are birthed into our lives - as a display of Him, to bring Him glory.

Psalm 57:2 says, "I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purposes for me."  Continuing on Psalm 57:7 says, "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music."  The word steadfast means "fixed in direction; unwavering and firm in purpose; undeviating constancy; not shakable."  The Psalm reads my heart is fixed on You, Lord. I will not be moved from this gaze upon You. Verse 8 of Psalm 57 is full of emotion as it calls out, "Awake, my soul!"  Then lastly verse 9 is our response to the Lord bringing forth His purposes in our lives.  It reads, "I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples."

We must trust in the truth that not only does God have a purpose for us (Jer 29:11), but that He also fulfills his purpose for us (Ps. 57:2).  We do our part by remaining steadfast to Him.  And we wait in great expectation for the awakenings of our soul.  When the hidden mysteries become known and it seems another piece of the puzzle fits.  When we see new giftings, talents, and passions birthed in us. And when this happens, the natural response is praise (Ps 57:9).  We cannot help but to praise Him.

This awakening of our soul, I believe, is a continuing process.  The Lord awakens what's inside of us over and over again as we choose to follow where He leads us on this journey.  He continually brings forth attributes of Him in us as we are being transformed into His image from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18).  May my heart be ever steadfast and may my soul be continually awakened!