Weeds, Ashes, and Dreams

I used to be a shy girl, never wanting to draw attention to myself. Always trying to blend in, assimilate, and go unnoticed. Think of being a leader instead of a follower? It’s downright astounding to people who know me now, but something must have happened between the third and fourth grade though because I started to become comfortable with standing out from the crowd (in my terms) and was put into positions by teachers, choir directors, Sunday school teachers, and scout leaders.

It started with a fourth-grade class project that we were assigned to do with help from our teacher, in which we were creating an actual newscast (on video). Now, this might not seem like a big deal in our technology-filled world, but in my time during fourth grade in a rural area, it was. Not everyone had a video recorder to be able to make this happen, but my teacher in fourth grade did and we had class elections to see who would fill various parts like anchor, newscaster, and reporter.

By this time, I’m sure you’ve guessed who was chosen to be one of the parts. I do recall a small bartering session happening before the vote, where fellow students did the usual playground polling of, “I’ll vote for you if you vote for me.” acting like you are not interested in winning the vote at all. In reality, I wanted to be the anchor and was pleasantly surprised when the votes were counted whereby a small margin, I had won.

Now, I don’t want you to think that I am always comfortable in this role, but it is something I sense God wanting to develop in me. The frequent challenges and assignments I know He has placed me in throughout the years have all had a purpose in developing the person I am today. Guess what…they are doing that for you as well!

He uses every part of us to bring other people alongside, even the discouragements, pain, and disappointments. Embrace them being a part of your growing time but don’t choose to pitch your tent there. We all have seasons in our lives. The best thing to do is lean into these seasons with the word of God. He is not merely looking for our ability, but our AVAILABILITY.

A glance at Romans 12:4-13 NIV shows us how to be available. “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving then serve; if it is teaching then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving,, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy; do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

Give God something to work with. Make yourself available in whatever gifts you have and if you don’t know what those are yet, do something, anything. He will show you. He will guide you. He will lead, just be open. Make your life a possibility.

A willing and trusting heart is something He can work with but guess what. He can work with anything. Look at Judges 6:11-39 with the retelling of the acts of Gideon. Don’t know Gideon? He was referred to as a “Mighty man of God”, but guess where he is first found by an Angel sent with a message for him? He was hiding away in a winepress from the Midianites because he was scared. Does this sound like one who would be mentioned as one of the great leaders of faith found in Hebrews 11:32?

Thankfully, yes! I love it that God chooses to use ones the world wouldn’t take a second glance at. Know why? The following verse shows us how God likes to operate. “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” 1 Corinthians 1:27 NIV I like the word “astound” better than “shame” here. It’s because He sees the Possibility in everyone and everything.

Are you ready to self-evaluate all the things of your past? Abilities you have or didn’t know you have because you discounted them as unimportant? Think of this blogging as a wake-up call to utilize every single seed that God has planted in you and to take a second look at the things you might have thought were just weeds or ashes. You might be surprised at what God wants to birth in you!