After awakening from a peaceful night’s rest and grooming myself for the day ahead, I decided to venture outside the confines of my hotel room at the Marriott in Spartanburg, SC this weekend, to enjoy a meal at one of the on-site restaurants.
After filling my belly and then slowly sipping on a steaming hot cup of coffee in the serene, dimly lit dining area, I felt satisfied and refreshed. It felt nice to wind down and have a moment of stillness.
Afterward, I headed back to my room.
But just before I reached the elevator, a gentleman who was walking with his family through the lobby stopped me and said, “Excuse me, ma’am. You look familiar.”
Though slightly confused about what connection we could have shared, I smiled and replied, “You know, I’ve been told that same thing several times since being here.”
It was uncanny.
There were various people, complete strangers to me, who told me all about the familiarity of my face, and their feeling that we had met somewhere before.
This time, near the guest elevators, the conversation felt somewhat like déjà vu.
“Is your name Dianna Hobbs?” he then asked with a grimace—something that hadn’t happened the other times.
Instantly intrigued, my eyes involuntarily bulged and I answered slowly, “Y-yes, it is. H-how did you know that?”
The man dressed in a purple shirt and tie responded only with laughter at first. Then he told me, “I’m just messing with you. I was there at the Purity Conference and your spirit-filled words blessed me. My daughter was also in one of your workshops and she told me how much she enjoyed you. I hope you’ll come back again!”
“Oh!” I chuckled, realizing he was one among many faces I didn’t recognize in the audience during my speaking engagement the day before. I was part of a purity service devoted to encouraging youth to remain abstinent until marriage, conceptualized by a wonderful visionary, Shawna Bynum. God had given me a word to share with His people and they were so receptive. It was a true blessing to us all.
“See, you never know who’s looking at you,” the warm, though unfamiliar man interjected, waving goodbye with a huge grin.
Once I made it back onto my floor, I thought about our communication exchange. I smiled as I slid my room key into the door and turned the handle once the green light blinked, and pondered what he said.
“You never know who’s looking at you,” I replayed in my mind.
And he’s right. You never know.
Right now, wherever you are, whoever you are, your commitment to the Lord and His call on your life matters. It is just what those around you need to witness. Whether you know who “they” are or not, these individuals God has favored you to reach know you. So own and walk in your calling authentically, daily, faithfully. Don’t do it for the glory or praise of men, but for the honor of God, so they might see your good works and glorify the Father in heaven as Matthew 5:16 instructs.
To remind you to do this, I’m stirring Ephesians 4:1b NIV into your cup of inspiration. It says, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”
When you drink down the contents of your cup, you’ll be reminded that you are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses,” (Hebrews 12:1). These witnesses are people who benefit from your obedience to God. They are watching your life in search of hope, encouragement, love, and often, just an example of authenticity. The good news is when you submit your life to the will of the Father, His love and light freely flows through you, out to them.
As a result, whoever is watching can be greatly blessed by your Christlikeness and true devotion to God's will, and way.
You see how that works?
You matter! Your example is needed. So continue doing the will of God. Be faithful to His calling. Know that your work is not in vain. Abide in Him. You’ll produce fruit, and reap a harvest of souls on behalf of the Kingdom.
I'll leave you with this final encouragement from 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV that says, "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
Now let’s pray.
God, thank You for choosing me to be an ambassador for You. I ask that You will help me to continually submit to Your calling. Give me a heart that is committed to living a life in accordance with Your will and purpose so others will be blessed, helped, and reached through my obedience to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
