It's Just That Obvious

I love how God is everything. For instance, He is the beginning and the end, He is the first and last, He is gentle, yet fierce, He is the High Priest, and still the servant of all. One thing I have learned about God this past week is that He is subtle, yet so obvious. I love it.

Sometimes I wonder, "WHAT AM I DOING????" This past week, that question went through my mind so many times. However, its just like God to show me that I am doing absolutely nothing, and He is doing everything. How does He show me? Very obviously.

The first way God does this is through His word. I read my Bible (well, I most definitely try to) every day. So there I am, in the middle of an everyday activity of mine and God speaks. This week He spoke to me through 2 Corinthians 4 (No, I'm not going to cite it here... go look it up!) These verses talk about how we are just jars of clay and the Spirit within us is a treasure. The part that really got me was that everything we do, the power we possess, comes not from us, but from above! So God very obviously reminded me through these verses that nothing I do is on my own, but only through the Holy Spirit.

The second way God has shown me He is in control is by.... gosh, blowing my mind! I am involved with a ministry here at school through Campus Crusade for Christ in which we minister to international students. Every Monday we have lunch with the internationals and share with them the Gospel. Well, this ministry started for the semester a couple of weeks ago, and our goal for the first lunch was to simply get to know the students: their names, where they are from, that kind of thing. God had such bigger plans. One of the women who came to the lunch sat down, and, after introducing herself, asked "What is the difference between Islam and Christianity?" Whoa! Instead of keeping the conversation limited to small talk, we were thrown headlong into a huge opportunity to share the gospel, especially when she followed that question by, "Who is Jesus Christ?" I was in absolute amazement of the Lord in that moment.

I think one thing I often forget is how great God's plans are for us all; so often we underestimate what He has in store for us. I am definitely a planner, and I have to admit I have been guilty (and often am even still) of planning my life without consulting the Lord. I wish I could have seen a year ago what great plans the Lord had for me even now, perhaps I would have allowed Him to do all of these crazy things in my life a little sooner.

Finally, I just want to tell you about what is going on with mine and Rebekah's ministry at First Apostolic Church here in Bowling Green. This is the most obvious way God has been working in my life as of late. I am in no way qualified to be leading ten to fifteen 6-10th graders. As I've said before, I am in way over my head. However, for some reason, God did choose me, and he IS using me (and Rebekah). It's nuts. Last week, I pretty much taught the kids the gospel. I told them that Jesus came and died for their sins and that they should repent and turn towards him. Afterward, I felt useless. I really didn't think any of it got through to them. One of the girls came up to me after the lesson and instead of telling me about her relationship status with the Lord, she asked me for help with her math homework. At first, I was a little discouraged, but then I realized that in a very subtle, yet obvious way, God was showing me that my duty is to LOVE those kids. If they can see that I love them, and that I am willing to help them (as much as I can, I'm not the math genius in the family) then, they will be able to someday understand the love that God has for them. I just have to love them like Jesus would, and I can do that.

In closing, Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." What a beautiful promise from the Lord, and in those simple words it is so obvious that He has a love for us that passes all understanding. Wow.