As stare out into the ocean, looking as far as the eye can see, I realize that this space I am gazing into is nothing. To me, a small human, it seems vast, but it is just a miniscule speck of the earth. The island I grew up on doesn't even show up on the world map. There are approximately 7 billion people on the earth. I am just one.
Why would God choose to be active in my life?
How can my life possibly have any purpose?
How can one person change the world?
Where do I even start?
God has been answering these questions in my life in huge ways. These questions that once seemed to just have a vague, general answer now have developed into a specific, personal answer that God has revealed to me over the last couple of years.
The most basic question has the most profound answer: God chooses to be active in my life because He loves me! Its not because of obligation or selfishness. He truly loves us and wants to spend time with us! He wants to give us the best He possibly can! Jeremiah 1:4-5 tells us that God has loved us since the moment He created us in the womb, and that it was at that time that He set each of us apart for a specific purpose. He wants to be active in my life, and in your life, because He loves each of us deeply and personally.
That answer carries into the next question. My life has purpose because He ordained it! Acts 26:16 explains that purpose further, saying, "But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you." The purpose of our lives isn't to make a certain amount of money, to drive a certain type of car, whatever. God may bless us in those ways, but our main purpose in this life is to spread the name of Jesus across the earth!
So many people ask, "I'm just one person. How can I change the world?" I admit that I have asked myself this question many times before. Its so easy to feel insignificant in this world, knowing your personal weaknesses and such. But God doesn't see those things. He sees the strengths He blessed us with, and He sees the purpose He created us for! He created us to change the world, even if it is only one person's world that is changed. I more than likely won't find a cure for cancer. I won't stop any wars. I won't fix the hunger crisis in this earth. But I may be the person that God uses to bless and encourage one person. I may be the one chosen to pray a prayer of salvation with somebody, and that not only will change a world but an eternity.
All of this ties together in the final question: Where do I even start? The answer is simple. We start by following God's leading, by placing our trust in Him and giving our lives up for Him. If we do this, God is faithful and will reveal our purpose. His love will carry us as we fulfill the purpose He destined us for.
For me, these questions all led me to The World Race. I could give numerous examples of God's confirmation that this missions trip is what He is calling me to. There isn't even a shadow of a doubt in my mind, and I couldn't be more excited. God is moving. This is my response.
I encourage you to look at these questions in your own life. What is God speaking to you? What has He planned and purposed for you? What's He asking of you?
This is an invitation.
An Invitation from Pilothouse Films on Vimeo.
Special thanks to Nate Hanson at Pilothouse Films for all of the work he put into this video! He donated his time to create something special, and I am so grateful! Nate and his wife Gretchen were youth leaders of mine back in middle school. They both have amazing hearts and a huge calling on their lives to work with the youth, and they have walked it out faithfully for years. They are an incredible example of living out the purpose that God has called you to. They also have an awesome son Luke who is 4 years old and hilarious!
