April 27th was a sad day for many people. I was saddened by the loss of life in the southern United States due to the terrible tornadoes. I was also saddened by the loss of a true leader and visionary of the Church, David Wilkerson.
I don't read a lot of blogs. I don't have time for it. I spend most of my reading time in God's Word trying to get better acquainted with Him. David Wilkerson's blog was the only one I followed. I didn't read it daily but when I did I found it inspiring and encouraging.
For those that don't know, he was the founder of Teen Challenge, born out of courageous ministry to the gangs of New York in the 60s. He wrote The Cross and the Switchblade chronicling his efforts to bring the Gospel to those who had been written off by most. I always found it amazing that someone from completely outside of that environment would not only be called by God but would actually respond to that call to put himself in real danger working with some of the most violent and dangerous people on earth. That was only the beginning of his ministry impact on the world.
It is a great loss to the Body of Christ and the world that David isn't with us any longer, and the fact that it happened so suddenly is shocking to us. If the truth be told, there is much loss of a similar nature, which we never hear about. Many die every day having left a gap in the mission of the Gospel. We hear about the celebrity ministers, Oral Roberts, D. James Kennedy, Bill Bright, and others and feel a sense of loss to the Church for their absence but there are many more who leave us with a similar, albeit, less well-known impact every day. Even more tragic are those of us who continue living, have a call from God on our lives, and don't fulfill that call.
Eph. 1:4-5 says:...just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will...
We were each chosen before the foundation of the world to serve and love God. Jesus paid the price to redeem us from a destiny that dictated failure and separation from God. We are all chosen to do a specific work in a specific time.
Eph 4:16 ...from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Each of us has a specific purpose and mission to accomplish in this life, and without us the Body of Christ, and the world, suffers. God needs us. He has a plan for each of us and it is only right for us to honor Him for the sacrifice He made for us by finding out what that purpose is and fulfilling it.
We all have times in which we feel insignificant and even useless, but the truth is that we all have a circle of influence. We all know people who are affected by our lives and even if we don't realize it, those people are counting on us to fulfill our calling. It's not always building a university, or starting a worldwide ministry. It's mostly giving an encouraging word, praying with someone in need, lending a hand when it's needed, or giving a blanket to someone who is cold. In Matt. 25:31-46 Jesus tells us that when we help each other it is the same as helping Him. When we act in kindness to others, we are honoring God and fulfilling our purpose.
I am the fifth of five children in my family. My Mother was 35 years old when she became pregnant with me and it had been 7 years since her youngest was born. I was not planned. However, I was not a mistake. My parents may not have planned me but I am sure that God did. One thing my Mom always made sure I knew as I was growing up, and even after, was that she viewed me as a blessing. I was there as a stabilizing factor in her life during some very difficult times. She said that she had responsibility and couldn’t just fall apart when things got rough. I also know that I have had some influence on those around me. I believe God put me on this earth for a purpose. That purpose is not yet fulfilled so I continue to seek God for His direction and wisdom. Even if I haven’t done many of the things that God has called me and gifted me to do, I know I have the ability to seek after those things and finish strong.
We each can live in hope that Rom. 11:29 says that “the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” He has instilled in each of us on this earth giftings, abilities, talents, and a specific call to service that He will not take away. If we will submit ourselves to Him, and His purpose for our life, He will renew those giftings and calling.
It’s important for us to each realize that living from day to day is not guaranteed. The recent tragedies in Japan, and the South show us that we can’t predict or be prepared for every possibility. The only thing we can control is right now. If I plant the seed of submission to whatever God asks me to do today, however small it may be, I will see the fruit of that seed in further direction, the blessing of God on my life, and lives changed around me. I will finish strong.
