I’m in Gjakova, Kosovo! And I have to admit, I’ve been struggling with what to post this week. It’s been too long since my last post but how do you put into words what God is doing in your life? How do you describe what it feels like to know you’re right where God wants you?
(For those of you who may not know where Kosovo is in the world.)
Being here, living life in the city, grabbing a macchiato in a coffee bar with a new friend, praying every morning with the local pastor, it can look very insignificant. I mean, I’m not working at soup kitchens with underprivileged orphans or doing 57 Sidewalk Sunday Schools every week. However, I know I’m where I should be right now.
I’m reminded of the time when Jesus visited with the woman at the well. This story, found in John 4, tells us that Jesus went through an area that most Jews avoided, went to the well at a time when most people didn’t draw water, and talked with a woman that everyone else despised. He went out of His way to reach one woman and, in turn, reached an entire town.
It’s easy to go on a mission trip and want to be in a place with a lot of “action.” But God is teaching me that He is everywhere and sometimes where He wants me, where I need to be, is off the beaten path…stopping at a seemingly insignificant well.
Why would He stop there? Why should I? Because the one person I may talk to is worth it. God’s love for each person exceeds what I could put into words. He told stories of shepherds leaving their flock to find one sheep, a woman cleaning her entire home to find one coin. He cares about the one. He cares about you, individually. In my excitement to see the whole world come to know Christ, He is reminding me to care about the one as well.
(Man selling flutes in Gjakova, Kosovo Photo credit: Kristin Brewster)
Before I left, I spoke to the youth group at my church about living life on purpose. And that’s exactly what I’m doing…it’s what God wants us all to do, I think. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, do it for the glory of God. Whether it’s going to buy eggs and toilet paper, grabbing a Starbucks, or just going around town, do it for the glory of God. Look for opportunities to share about Jesus. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you who you need to talk to. Encourage someone who’s having a bad day and be salt and light wherever you go.
This month I will be praising God for where He has me. I refuse to think it’s less significant than where God has someone else. God loves everyone and His desire is that NONE should perish (2 Peter 3:9). I’m in search of the one who God is talking to…the one He is stopping at the well for.
What about you? Where does God want to use you?
