Why Are You Still Sitting There?

After I became aware that God had bigger things in store for me than just my quaint little white picked dream, I felt him open my eyes to places where I could be of service. Now this is a catch 22 with me. I see needs far more often than most and sometimes find myself in a tizzy trying to make sure these needs are met. I went through a time in my life where I thought if I see it, than God revealed it to me, than I am the one to fulfill that need. So as you can gather, I ran on little sleep and constant stress.

Have I improved from that status? A little. However, most people will tell you that I still tend to spread myself too thin. Though I can list for you the things that I am not doing that other people my age or my place in life are doing that give me great anxiety. So God and I talk about this A BUNCH! You see, once I realized that God had called me into His specific services, I did not know quite which venue this would be. So I started dabbling in everything so that I could gather what my strengths were and figure out where my place was.

I have helped in children and in youth and in media and in missions at each church God has placed me. All have been fulfilling and rewarding. All have been building me for another step later on in the journey. The people that I worked with and for during these appointments were also some of the greater sources of influence along my way. I will never forget one time when I orchestrated a non-profit sports camp for kids with the help of many great friends and community supporters including one of the greatest principals to ever live. He believed in me and encouraged me and helped me make things happen. There are many that crossed his path that will tell you the same thing. Having people in your life like this even beyond the support of parents is crucial in allowing you to have wind under your wings and not be idly standing on the sideline.

However parents matter and my parents were supportive and encouraging as well. Of their two children, I was the more boisterous, gregarious and borderline obnoxious one. My brother did not drive them near as crazy as I did with insane ideas and busy plans. Yet, they loved me and urged me to try. That’s impacting to my future. There are things that they did to give me courage and bravery that they will never know. I had many, many , many restrictions as a child and teenager. Yet, when it came to something that would help me grow, all signs were ago. Thanks Mom and Dad! I guess this is also why I have a hard time with people who are content in their lives who have similar home situations. If you are one of those who are blessed with supportive and encouraging parents, why are you still sitting there? They were not given to you to coddle you all of your days. They are there to give you a break when the bell rings and you need water and a break from the fight.

If you have been given even that one someone in your life who is of encouragement or support; who believes in you and makes that ever impacting eye contact where you know they think you are capable; who speaks wisdom to you and gives your mind space to stretch, why are you still sitting there? GOD GAVE THEM TO YOU SO YOU WILL GO! God gave you someone to push you so you would find your strengths and find your gifts. And then He wants you to take what you find and USE IT TO GLORIFY HIM, not to sit there and go “look at me! I’m pretty awesome, so I will sit right here and enjoy the awesomeness that people tell me I possess and not share it with anyone who might need it.” God had people pour into you, so you will turn around and pour into others. Don’t be selfish!

Sometimes your pouring is not just your offspring. In fact, always it is not. There are others needing you and your gifts and your strengths. AND your offspring need to see that humility and willingness to go. Before I continue with my life story, I want to thank all of those people who have invested in me and have open my eyes to the world before me and the great need to go. God did not equip me to stay idle. Nor did He you. Is He able to call people to serve at home? Sure. But there are too many local missionaries and too few outside of their comfort zone. Why are you still sitting there?