I often find myself
thinking about if my personal and past experiences can influence others, how I
can use my story to encourage or set an example for someone who may need it
someday. It is an interesting concept, to
know that my previous struggles or triumphs could serve for a greater purpose
beyond myself. And not that I have all
the answers (because I never will), but that there is the potential for great
benefit amongst others.
As I am only twenty
years young, I am very much aware that there is still learning to be had. But this can often be turned into an excuse
where I do not see myself as suitable for a given situation or as a possible solution
to an issue that is far beyond me. It
becomes difficult to conceptualize. How
will I be of any assistance if I have never even been there myself? Oh human nature, indeed.
The real question is
what I will choose to do with the opportunity that has been placed before me --
to simply follow and trust that He knows what He is doing (which He always
does) or to walk away, never knowing how I could have been used for His glory.
There are so many
instances in my life that I come across in which I have no idea how I will be
useful but know I am suppose to be a part of.
It is a funny feeling, it is even a scary feeling. Going where no man has gone before!...well,
going where I have never gone before.
Uncertainty is just that -- uncertain.
But there can be just as much peace in uncertainty as there is
fear. In fact, I often think that is how
it was intended to be.
It all goes back to
the concept of genuine and complete surrender, in which I no longer have to
think about what God is going to do, because I know He will come. I must simply remain faithful to Him. The moment I lose sight of His grace and only
find comfort in my own beliefs and experiences is the moment that I restrict
myself with limitations, making it impossible for Him to fully flow through me
-- I blind myself from the goodness He has intended.
A man recently told me:
"Someone might meet Jesus today, and it will look like you." -- which
is possibly the most mind-blowing yet simple and beautiful statements that I
have ever heard in my entire life. And as this has always been my heart's desire, that people would see the Jesus in
me, I never realized how truly
powerful that could be. At any moment in
time, someone could meet Jesus -- because they can see Him in me.
Little did I know
how many ways in which this could be manifested, simply because I chose to
follow, regardless if it made sense to my human self. What a blessing it is, to take part in such
spontaneous joy that one person can bring to another -- because He has me
absolutely. And even more, this
not only gives me the opportunity to be blessing, but it allows me to receive
these same joys -- in the most unexpected and overwhelming ways.
It is wonderful.
And with all of
that, I will let Oswald Chambers give the concluding thoughts of today:
"The evidence
of our love for Him is the absolute spontaneity of our love, which flows
naturally from His nature within us. And
when we look back, we will not be able to determine why we did certain things,
but we can know that we did them according to the spontaneous nature of His
love in us."
Someone might meet
Jesus today, and it will look like you.
"Don't
let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you
say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."
1
Timothy 4:12
