Last night my 3 year old, Kaleb, came to me complaining.
"It hurts," he whimpered while pointing to a spot on his big toe. Initially, I couldn't see what he was talking about. "Show Mommy again," I said leaning in closer and squinting at Kaleb's toe, which seemed to be perfectly fine. But when he pointed directly to the the area that was ailing him the second time around, I could clearly recognize what was wrong.
Right underneath the surface of his skin on top of his big toe, was a thin, brown sliver of wood. Immediately I knew. He had gotten a splinter lodged in his foot, most likely from crawling around on the natural hardwood floors, rolling his little Matchbox cars through the house.
I knew exactly what to do; it was something I'd seen my mother do "hundreds" of times when I was a young girl living at home.
I got a sterilized needle and some tweezers and went to work. With my needle, I gently lifted the skin and exposed the wood that was trapped underneath it. Then, I got a good grip on that wooden sliver with my tweezers and with a steady hand, pulled it out. Although it was mildly uncomfortable for Kaleb, causing him to let out a few "Ow's," after about three minutes, that pointy little stick was dislodged and plucked out.
I was able to do that so easily, though, because I had seen it modeled for me over and over again by my mother. It's pretty easy to master something that's been repeatedly demonstrated for you, right?
But what about when you're faced with the responsibility of carrying out a task for which you have no point of reference? How do you deal with that?
It's something you and I must consider because, many times, God will challenge us to step up to the plate and pursue a course we've never seen anyone close to us go after. During these times, God will force us outside our comfort zone and push us to change the pervasive patterns we've seen all our lives. He nudges us toward our destiny by encouraging and admonishing us to BE the change, rather than the conformer.
I know it's not easy to be a change agent. Trust me I do. Yet, it's necessary in order for us to seize and lay hold of everything God wants to do for, in, and through us in the earth. Without a doubt, it's very easy to feel unsure of ourselves when placed in unfamiliar predicaments. But I'm here to let you know that, feeling unstable doesn't mean you're unable.
I'll say that again.
Feeling unstable doesn't mean you're unable.
You can be the change God is calling for. It doesn't matter that you haven't seen what you'll become before. No matter what has happened with others, I believe God has something different and better in store for you.
You've got to believe and know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He's already equipped and empowered you to do great and mighty things for the Kingdom. It might not be as simple as plucking out a splinter after witnessing it countless times; nevertheless, whatever your assignment, you can successfully complete it.
You have it in you. God has given you all the tools and resources you need to effect change in your family, your neighborhood, your community, and the world at large.
Don't look anywhere else for the change this world needs. Instead, you rise up and BE the change.
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com
