I am a dorky Christian, husband to my beautiful wife & best friend and father of three amazing children. In my spare time, I like to play guitar and coach little kids' baseball.
I use this website to log my random thoughts (which doesn't seem to be that frequent).
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I'll never forget the time God spoke to my heart to pack my backpack with an extra jacket, two pairs of clean socks and an umbrella. I was at a college retreat with other friends from church. The weekend had a typical retreat schedule and like most evenings, we were going to have a time of worship and a speaker would provide the sermon/lesson. I remember that tug at my heart not to go that evening. God didn't want me to go. What I learned that night has stuck with me ever since. God was calling me to be prepared. With that still, small voice that Elijah heard on the Mount, God told me to pack my backpack and proceeded to tell me what to pack. Some probably think it's lunacy, but He wanted me to pack an umbrella, two pairs of clean socks and an extra jacket. I was curious and I wanted to obey Him so I packed my backpack.
Next, He said to go for a walk and He would show me what to do. I went for a walk. I walked around for about two hours or so and went in the areas I was being directed. There were very few other people that hadn't gone to the service that night, but God used them to teach me something valuable.
The weather that weekend had been wet and rainy. It was raining enough that night to get you wet enough to make you pretty cold. It was at that time that I saw someone pulling their sweatshirt above their head (they had another shirt underneath). It was then that I knew what I had been prepared for. I acted on what I had and offered my umbrella and extra jacket. They thanked me, but said they were okay and they went on their way.
While walking some more, I came across two people with sandals and socks on. Obviously, their socks were soaked. Again, I knew what I had been prepared for. I offered both of them the extra pairs of socks I had and told them how God had prepared me for this. They said that was great and they appreciated it, but they were really doing okay.
I was then directed in another area and watched as some people were walking farther ahead and getting quite wet. I shouted out to them that I had an umbrella if they wanted it. It could be they just didn't hear me or they ignored me. Either way, I still had everything I had packed in my backpack.
What I learned that night was that I need to recognize God's Call of Preparation. I wasn't called to force an umbrella, socks and a jacket on people. I was simply called to pack a bag, walk and offer to help those in need.
In the Bible, we have a lot of examples of God calling people to take action:
The initial responses to God involved either excuses or immediate action. Moses and Jeremiah made excuses and God kept reassuring them that He would be with them (they eventually went and did as directed). Isaiah, Simon (Peter), Andrew, James and John immediately took action.
With my backpack experience, God's instructions were consistent with these men. He said exactly what to do, where to go and assured me He would be with me. He remains the same to this day.
God is preparing you for something. Just like the previously listed scriptures, God doesn't say, "Who here has the best speaking ability?", "Who has a way with kids?", "Who can run the fastest, jump the farthest, and bench press the most? "
No, He doesn't do that. God knows what you are capable of; what your strengths and weaknesses are. He knows that you can't do it without His help and guidance. He wants you to grow in your trust of Him and use you in the lives of others and you can't do that until you trust Him.
So, what is God preparing you for? What has He asked you to do?
Are you going to make excuses? Or are you going to place your trust wholly in Him and take immediate action?
Comments
Very cool story. Thanks for sharing.
"I wasn't called to force an umbrella, socks and a jacket on people. I was simply called to pack a bag, walk and offer to help those in need."
I think that's a rocking metaphor for how we are called to evangelism. The knocking on doors and asking people if they know where they're going stuff just ain't working.
Thanks for the comment, Forrest.
I agree with you. We shouldn't sit by and let the older generations do it all, either.