Parasha With Passion – Torah Reading Cycle – Week #5
Greetings Beloved,
This week we are reading Parashat Chayei Sara. There are five major developments in this week’s Torah portion, the death of Sarah, Abraham’s procurement of a burial place (in Hebron) for Sarah, the procurement of a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s children with Keturah, and the death of Abraham.
It is ironic that this Parashah is called Chayei Sara (Life of Sara), however, the scripture reading for this Parashah opens with Sara’s death. In Jewish thought, there is a fascinating principle in Torah study that explains that the subject in which the scripture text opens, is usually the principle theme where we derive our deepest understanding.
The major theme that emerges from this Torah portion is the true significance of the human lifecycle. Sara lived and she died. All the life experiences that happened in between weaved a beautiful tapestry of victories, triumphs, mistakes, and virtues that made Sarah a dynamic woman.
Reinvent Yourself for God’s Purpose
I have heard it said, that it is a women’s prerogative to re-invent herself. If my life could be compared to a Windows software upgrade, I would be on my 10th upgrade edition. I am a far different person in my forties as I was in my twenties.
The reason why we often become bored and even despondent in life is because we reach a certain point where we cease to create something new. God created us to be ever-evolving from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:16-18).
As God’s children, each of us have a unique purpose to bring strength to our generation. Revival will always look like someone. What expression of God’s goodness are you called to reveal on the earth? What is the vehicle that you will use to carry-out God’s purpose for your life? Who are you? Why are you here?
If you have reached a place of regression, and stagnation in your life goals, here are some tips to help you move forward and breakthrough to your next level of victory.
Who Are You?
Who are you? First and foremost, I am a child of God. We are created to be solely His. All that is possible for God is possible for me. In life, we must have a clear definition from God concerning who He has created us to be. If we do not have a clear understanding of who we are, we will allow situations, society, and even our heartaches to define us and tell us who we are.
There is an old story about a Rabbi named Akiva, who lived during the 1st Century that truly speaks to us today. One evening, Akiva went to the village to gather some supplies. Walking back to his cottage, he took the wrong path. Suddenly, a voice yelled through the darkness: “Who are you, and why are you here?”
Startled, Akiva realized that he had wandered into a Roman garrison, and the voice had come from a young solider keeping guard. Akiva asked the young solider “How much do the Romans pay you to stand guard and ask that question?”
The solider answered, “Three shekels a week.” Akiva responded, “Young man, I will double your pay if you come with me, stand in front of my cottage, and ask me the same question each morning as I begin my day: ‘Who are you, and why are you here?’”
Why Are You Here?
As children of God, we are called to reflect a particular attribute of God’s heart on the earth. Our individual assignments will be the vehicle we use to demonstrate that attribute.
For instance, if your passion is to show the mercy and compassion to the afflicted, your gift may reflect an attribute of God’s heart that reveals His love and tenderness towards the broken and suffering. Your assignment to demonstrate God’s mercy and tenderness may be a career in health care.
My gift is to reflect the aspect of the Father’s heart that inspires deep devotion, encouragement, and inspiration. The vehicle in which I do that is by writing. I write professionally in my career. I also write two weekly inspirational pieces, one that I share with my Ohev family and another that has global distribution.
What Do You Want?
“Not everyone can be famous but everyone can be great because greatness is determined by service.” Martin Luther King Jr.
We live in a world where success is measured by being famous. However, being known often fades in time. However, when we shift the paradigm of our lives from simply becoming successful to using our gifts to serve – success and significance will follow.
What do I want? I want to fulfill everything that God has ordained for me to accomplish. I want to walk in the highest expression of myself as a woman of God. I want to fulfill the promise that Abba dreamed when He created me (Psalms 139:16).
Who are you? Why are you here? What do you want? How will you get there? Here me beloveds, “hater’s always hate upwards.” So, surround yourself with people who are comfortable with greatness. Like Sarah, our lives will weave a beautiful tapestry of experiences that will shape us into dynamic women that will impact the world.
Weekly/Daily Scripture Reading Cycle
Torah: Genesis 23:1 – 25:18
Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31
Shlichim: Matthew 8:19-22; John 2:13-25
Next Torah Portion: Toldot
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