You never know what God wants to do through you at a particular time or place. You can never fully anticipate how He will position you to be a blessing to someone else. But I want to challenge you today to be sensitive to God's leading and
timing. Don't ever be so focused on your own needs and wants, that God can't trust you to sow into the lives of others... even when it's inconvenient.
This week-end I was on my way to a speaking engagement. I'd had a very busy day; I was tired. I had a headache. And I was hungry. All I wanted to do was grab something to eat and go to sleep. You know those times when you just want to keep to yourself and sort of veg out?
Well, after a hurried morning and afternoon, I was ready for a little peace and respite before I had to minister the next day. A quiet trip would be the perfect way to catch a few zzz's and relax.
But while sitting in my seat, I noticed a pair of bright green eyes peering at me inquisitively from above the seat in front of me. Brushing her blond hair away from her face, this young woman said, "I noticed you were reading something. What were you reading?'
A bit surprised that she asked me a question out of the blue, I looked up slowly and smiled. "The Bible," I said. "I was reading the Bible."
"I'm a Christian," she said smiling.
"Me too," I replied warmly with a bright smile. So, we began chit-chatting casually at first... and then the conversation went deeper.
I learned that the young woman-- whose name is Amy by the way, had run away from home in an attempt to escape her troubled family life. She was adopted when she was only four years old, and wrestled with fear of abandonment, identity issues, and feelings of inadequacy. Her relationship with her mom was very strained, leaving her feeling unloved and unwanted.
Not only that, but Amy was also grieving the loss of four friends to a drunk driving accident... they all died right before her eyes. And because she was the sole survivor, she felt guilty for not having died in the crash along with her friends.
In fact, she had so internalized the guilt of the incident, that she had attempted to take her own life on several occasions.
Well, Amy was clearly troubled. Surely I didn't know what to say, but thank God He began wording my mouth and giving me insight into her unique situation. As the Lord dealt with me and spoke through me, the tears streamed down her alabaster face; she told me she hadn't cried in over 10 months because she had become so numb and hardened.
I'm not sure Amy realized it, but God was delivering her emotionally. The more she cried, the more she opened up.
I knew it was a God thing. I had to forget about how I was feeling and tap into what God wanted to do in that moment.
I wonder, when is the last time the Lord disrupted your schedule and invaded your space so He could use you?
As the dialogue continued, Amy looked up at me with red puffy eyes, between stifled sobs and asked, "Why am I here?" Why didn't God just let me die?"
"Because He has purpose for your life," I told her.
The cancer she had when she was eleven didn't kill her because God had His hand on her. She met me--a complete stranger--so that God could speak life into her once again!
"How do you know so much about me?" Amy asked with furrowed brows, a bit perplexed.
Although I didn't know anything... God knew everything about her. He only revealed it to me so I could help her.
Sometimes, ministry happens in the strangest places... when you least expect it. That's why it's important to stay in touch with God, so when He wants to use you, you'll be open and available. After my encounter with Amy this week-end, I was very impacted. As a result, my prayer is, "God, help me to always be sensitive to your Holy Spirit so you can use me whenever you're ready."
Your prayer should be the same. After all, you never know what God wants to do through you.
Of course I could've avoided conversing with Amy any further after answering her initial question, right? But something in my spirit perceived that God had set the whole thing up. I'm so thankful I was obedient to His call.
What might God want to use you for? Will you be ready? Remember, ministry happens in the strangest places, but if God can trust you to say yes, He'll open doors and use you for His glory!
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time... may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com
