Tell Them

Well, I'm back.

To the very few faithful readers: sorry for the months of silence. In the time I haven't been writing, there's been plenty of reflection. There's also been plenty of pulling away from the Lord, for reasons I'm unable to identify. Isn't it amazing, that no matter how far we run, the minute we turn around, He's right there? Like He's been following us the whole time, waiting for us to seek Him with an undivided heart again, so that we may taste His goodness again.

Here's what draws me back to writing--this sentence and prayer that I wrote on my mirror weeks ago: "All my life You've chosen me for this..."

I think about the various ministries of my life--to certain friends, to certain families, to certain girls, to the youth--and I am amazed by two things:

1. I never would have chosen this for myself
2. And it's exactly what my heart was created for 

Though I fought God for years on ministry, looking for every possibility outside of it, He continues to show me that He has different plans.

Here's what I usually do: I hold out to him all my reasons for why I shouldn't be ministering, discipling. "I hate speaking in front of people. I stumble over my words. There's too much about the Bible that I don't know. I can't build theological arguments to 'discuss'. I've messed up too much...." And it goes on and on. And usually, He let's me argue with Him.

But when I'm done, He gently takes my face in His hands, and asks me:
"Did I not redeem you?" Of course You did.
"Have I not loved you faithfully?" Of course You have.
"Is your life not mine, to do with as I please?" Of course it is.

Yes, my life is His.

And with such simple questions, He reminds me: It's never me that changes a life anyway. It's never me that saves a soul. It's never me that speaks good words. My call is to simply tell. Tell them about this God who redeemed me, loved me, owns me. Whoever 'them' is--friends, families, girls, youth...

So here's my questions to you:
Did God not redeem you?
Has God not loved you faithfully?
Is your life not His, to do with as He pleases?

He did? He has? It is?

Then my final question is this: Who is your 'them'? To tell them is your call, your purpose, your ministry...what you were created for.

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." Titus 2:11-14