For those of you who don't know I have been on tour for the past 2 weeks. It has been a time of uncontrollable laughter, strengthened friendships, stretching and many learned lessons. The days, states and towns have begun to run into each other to create a blur that makes it hard to remember where we were when. One of the biggest lessons I have learned so far is what it really means to make the most of every opportunity.
We were in East Helena, Montana performing at a youth group that was full of unchurched & at risk teens. They didn't really seem too keen on worship or any of our performance aspects really. This night also happened to be my turn to speak. I talked to the group about the 2 paths that we have in life: ourselves, or Jesus, life or death. We opened up for a time of ministry and within minutes my heart was completely broken. The girls were coming up and asking for prayer for broken families, for protection from their dad, and other major issues. I was quickly reminded of how much of a blessed life I live, and my heart hurt for these girls who knew nothing of the love of a earthly father, let alone a heavenly father. The other team members reported of other prayer requests that broke us even more. The majority of the kids who attend there are bused in from their houses, so a few of us got the privilege of riding the bus back home with them. I sat with this beautiful girl named Amber. She hadn't previously shared her struggles with anyone, but there she sat in my arms a complete mess, pouring out her heart along with all its hurts. It struck me in that moment that I had approximately 15 minutes to sow something into her life. A 15 minute window is nothing compared to the rest of her life, but I knew that I had to make it count somehow. I talked to her about Jesus, encouraged her to continue to attend that church where she would find love and healing and then I just sat and listened as she shared about her plans that night.
As I watched her walk off the bus, I felt so hopeless and discouraged thinking there was more I could've done, it was after all her eternity on the line. But as we debriefed after, I was reminded that I am just a seed planter, or perhaps even a garden waterer, but ultimately it is God's job to cause those seeds to grow.
Later that week as I journaled God spoke to me and reminded me that as I held her sobbing body, he was holding her through me.
We are all instruments in the hands of an Almighty God. Every moment counts, every person we meet is a divine appointment - an open window that we have been given to plant a seed. It will look different every time, but know that God is behind each one. Time is short, and we can't risk missing the chance to love someone, say hi, smile, or ask how they are doing.
Every second counts friends and even now as I type this I feel the urgency of this message.
Go: Stand with broken
Compel people to love
Care for the helpless
Hold the hurting
Feed the hungry
See the sad smile
Offer hope to the hopeless
Make the most of every opportunity to be the hands, feet and mouth of Jesus in a lost, broken, hurting and dying world.
No comments:
Post a Comment