Levi is “attached”

Gen. 29:34 Levi, “This time my husband will become attached to me.”

The name Levi means attached.  This third son of Jacob represents a period of increased devotion and commitment that must come to every believer’s life is they are to become fruitful for the Lord.  We are drawn to God by His lovingkindness and the Gospel of love, but along with this love relationship there must come a foundation of commitment.

Feelings of love do not always last.  The Lord knows we will need to make a quality decision to serve Him regardless of our feelings, so He brings His disciples to a point of decision whereby we are attached to the cause.   For the multitudes that followed Him, He says, “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life within you.” (John 6:53) This was a hard saying, the disciples remarked, and it tested their resolve.  Will you follow the Son of Man even when the stakes are high, and it goes against what you think is convenient and easy?  Are you with Him only for the food and fish, or are you willing to commit for better or worse?  Are you attached?

Every ministry leader will come to a point whereby God tests your resolve.  I remember our young convert in Belarus, Vitaly.  He was only 16 when he first heard about God’s love for him, and he began following Christ at that age.  There came a point, however, when God called Vitaly into full-time ministry with Youth With A Mission, Belarus.  This call was not a feel-good tender wooing, but an invitation to commit.

Vitaly remembers saying very clearly to the Lord, “I will commit to serve you with YWAM for 10 years.”  He attached himself to the Lord and was willing to stay the course no matter the consequences.  18 years later, Vitaly is still serving full-time with YWAM and seeing fruit all over Eastern Europe because of his decision to commit.

Times will come in ministry where we are tempted to quit.  The romantic feeling of love for the Lord will sometimes be quiet and cold.  Difficulties in finances, relationships, ministry partners, and familiar foes will all come and ask us the same questions Jesus asked His disciples in John 6:67, “Do you also want to go away?”  Do you?

Peter’s only response was “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You alone have the words of eternal life.”  (John 6:68) These two truths cement our attachment.  First, that you are Lord and I am obliged to obey whatever you say.  One cannot say “No, Lord.”  Secondly, you have the words of life, eternal life.  For me to turn away from the would be forsaking the very source of my joy, sustenance, eternal destiny, and life.  We cannot flee from Thee, but rather we are forever attached.  Settle this.