Until The Whole World Hears

I love the latest song out by Casting Crowns, Until the Whole World Hears. It captures the desire of my heart over the past year, which is to usher in our heavenly Father’s love into every circumstance that crosses my path. To be His hands and feet, wherever my day leads me, get’s my blood pumping! This has been my prayer over the last year. Well, the Giver of All Good Things, has honored my request in some pretty remarkable ways, but none so profound as this past Saturday.

I had taken my kids to Budafest (aka small town Christmas parade, art and craft sale and carnival.) We’ve done this every year since our kids where born. Life in a small town is great! You get to know just about everyone and everyone gets to know you…for better and for worse. I had just finished talking and catching up with an old friend, when God gave me a nudge. “See the man on the park bench? I want you to go talk to him. He needs to know that I love him.” I looked and sure enough there was someone sitting alone on the park bench just watching the kids at the park and on the carnival rides. “Oh God, I don’t know him. He’ll think I’m some crazy person…some Jesus freak or something.”

“Well, you did say you wanted to be My hands and feet.”

“I know, I know. Ok, if I’m supposed to talk to this guy, you make it very evident. I’m going to go to the restroom and if the guy is still there when I come out, then I’ll go talk with him.” I went to the restroom and as I walked out I pretty much walked right into the man. (You’ve got to just love God, if you ask Him, He’ll make it very clear!)

“Hi, I noticed you sitting on the park bench earlier. Are you okay?” I asked. The 40-something year old man looked at me through eyes filled with tears and incredible pain and said, “No, not really.” John* (not his real name) proceeded to tell me that in three weeks the divorce he never wanted would be final. He shared how he felt alone, abandoned, rejected and unloved. I shared with John the “nudge” and that God wanted him to know how much He loved him. It got very quite and John didn’t say anything for a long time. He began to sob and then said, “I’m just so tired, I’m done with this game. It’s time to cash in my chips.” In that moment it became very clear that John was contemplating suicide and it also became very clear why I was to go and talk to this man.

I spent the next hour sharing my story of surviving a suicide attempt and the power of God to heal and restore the most broken of lives. As I spoke, I prayed that the words would bring encouragement and life into John's life. As I finished I asked if it would be okay if I prayed for him and he said, “Yes.” I hugged him and reminded him one last time that God wanted him to know that He loved him. I knew at that moment heaven had just invaded earth and that God had just entered into John's equation.

You want to be the hands and feet of Christ? Do you want to see Him set the captives free? Want to be a light in the darkness? You don’t have to look very far or too hard. The person who needs to hear from God the most today is most likely right before you or sitting next to you. The real question is, “Are you willing to be obedient when our Father asks you to be His hands and feet?” If you are, you will experience the incredible power of God in your life and be witness to life changing moments…let's do it until the whole world hears!

Mess Up? Fess Up!

I don’t know about you, but from the very first day that we brought our first child home from the hospital I’ve been plagued with the following thought: How come there’s no owner’s manual that comes with these little guys? With little to no training we embark on this incredible journey of raising the next generation. Here’s a scarier thought, I have to do more to obtain a driver’s license than I do to become a parent!

How are two fallible human beings supposed to figure this whole parenting thing out? I am far from being able to answer that question with any confidence. But, I have learned that a major portion of my job is to role model our Heavenly Father’s relationship with us to my kids (actually to everyone!) and to call out the greatness God has placed within them and encourage them to step into that greatness.

Now, seeing as I’m still growing as a child of God, you can bet I’m going to make mistakes. I’m going to mess up. But here’s the good news, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. How cool is that? As my kids say, we get “do overs!” So what are we to do when we loose our patience, respond out of anger, or make any kind of mistake? Let’s model for our kids! Confess, ask for forgiveness and start over! In short “Mess up? Fess Up!”

Father,
What an incredibly loving, grace-filled and merciful Father you are! I come to you today and ask that You guide me in the task of raising Your children so that they have a right understanding of who You are and the greatness that You have placed deep within each of them. Amen.

Living It Out!
The next time you feel the Holy Spirit convict you on how you handled a particular situation, respond to the conviction by making it a practice to confess your sin, ask for forgiveness and pray for each other. Then sit back and watch God do a mighty work in you and them!