Every moment is His.

http://heikkialanen.net/?page=photos&cat=oz

I just finished reading the most inspirational, Jesus filled story I have ever read. I literally couldn’t put it down. I read it in 24 hours.

It’s called “Kisses from Katie”. It’s a true story about a girl names Katie Davis who follows Jesus into Uganda right out of high school. She starts a nonprofit organization and has devoted her life to loving the Orphans and other broken people around her.

Shortly after I finished the book my initial inspiration turned into complete and utter despair concerning my own life. This beautiful, amazing, woman of God has devoted her life completely to Him in the most amazing way.

But what about me? What about the rest of us?

Here I am in Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania, spending my days driving around on nicely paved roads, showering daily with hot water, reading before bed by the light of electricity, and eating what I want when I want it. I don’t feel “called” anywhere else.

 All I know is that I am desperate to feel Jesus so closely; Desperate to be his hands and feet in this world.

So I began to think about what that means. What that means for us every day.

The simplest answer is this: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” ~ John 3:30

Notice that I said simplest, not easiest.

Sometimes it is not easy to pick up your bible instead of watching your favorite reality TV show, but it’s the simple solution to the stresses of the day.

As I’ve begun to think more about this, I have come to quite a few realizations. The first is that God gives me opportunities to be his hands and feet in every moment of every day. Today I had the opportunity to either take a nap, or to write a long letter to my beautiful sponsor child. Every morning I have the option of sleeping in for 15 more minutes or starting my day talking to my Savior. All day long I am surrounded by my 7 little students, who I have the choice to love with everything that I have in every moment.

I have a tendency to look at things in extremes. For instance, “I’m not literally saving children’s lives every day, so really what’s the point.” But who am I to say that my life and every moment isn’t being used by Jesus?

Last night I opened my bible to Romans 9:20-21, which reads:

“But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?”

My theologically educated father may have some incredible and different thoughts on what this passage is about, but to me it read like this:

“Who are you, Elizabeth, to tell me how to run the world? I created you to be exactly who you are and you are here in boring old Mechanicsburg for a very specific reason. You are not in charge. Just because it seems like others have been called to something greater, doesn’t mean that you’re calling is less. Live every moment for me, my sweet girl. Love the least of these. That is what I ask of you”

So my friends, for all of you who have ever felt left out of God’s great plan. Do not underestimate him constantly as I do. Give every moment to Him. Stay close by His side so that you are ready, in every moment, to be His hands and feet.

I will leave you three things.

First, a verse that is constantly on my heart and my lips:

2 Corinthians 12:9-But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Secondly, here’s a link to Katie Davis’ blog. The Lord is doing amazing things through this woman!

http://katiedavis.amazima.org

Thirdly, this is a link to the Amazima ministries website. This is the nonprofit organization that Katie founded. Check it out! Our Lord is doing amazing things!

http://www.amazima.org/