Thank you for this beautiful testimony of how God changes us if we are obedient in taking the first step. May you all realise that you have something special and important enough to make a meaningful difference in the life of another. Let's open our eyes and walk in the footsteps of God's guidance! But it is not just about the gift, the dress, the money, the food or the skill you have to sacrifice... it is just as much about giving up your pride, your comfort, your time and status for meeting God in a new way.
"The year started with a horrific chasing after the wind, busy with everything and nothing and things falling apart. Where do you find time for God in the everyday busyness...? Prayer seems like a hopeless affair, because the few times you remember to, you fall asleep long before "Amen." Not to speak of committing to a ministry at church - the days simply don't have enough hours. I guess the so-called "church ladies" have been specifically chosen and called to do God's work - they must have a very important body part in the body of Christ... me maybe just a toe-nail...
I believe God wants to show me more, but I simply don't find the time to listen and respond. Yet He left alone 99 other sheep to come looking for me and keep knocking on my door. Maybe I don't hear His voice as clearly as Samuel did, but He spoke to me in that one moment I kept quiet to tune in to Him.
In my own experience I can testify that God seldom dumps the whole bag of potatoes on your doorstep... no... He rather chooses to give us hints here and there that only makes sense much later.
A week ago I experienced God telling me to sacrifice something I really did not want to give away. I thought God was playing dirty, because He wanted me to give away the money I was saving for my wedding dress. I have been saving for this dress my whole life - the perfect dress for my Big Day that will have people gasping for air... How could He ask this of me? God's Spirit convinced me to exchange my own will for God's will. I prayed for Him to reveal to me whom I should give the dress to: a single mom who was highly pregnant. We know each other and I knew her child was having health problems just the month before. We went to the bank together and I paid the money into her bank account, just to receive a cool "thank you".
A few days later she approached me with a great humility, not knowing how to say what she wanted to: "The other day... I wanted to cry. I wanted to cry the whole day. I just wanted to go home, take my child, lock myself in my room and pray to God. You know, I didn't have any money for the month and there was no food in my house. Last month my baby was sick and I spent all my money on medicine for him. I wasn't going to ask anyone for money or food. But then God sent you."
With tears in my eyes I thanked God for helping me to be obedient. I didn't know anything about her situation at home. I realised how selfish I was at that moment. I still don't know which part of the body of Christ I am, but I realised that I had to be healed from my selfishness. When all the parts are working properly, the whole body can function better. God just asks you to give that first step. If you make time for Him first, He will let the sun stand still so that you have time for the rest.
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