“…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…” (Mark:10:43)
Although most of us only think in terms of the macro spectrum of the recession right now, I want to look at a
more micro spectrum for a moment. Personally, I’m experiencing just that, a recession of my own and it
can beautifully relate to the former quite well. I sit on the other side of the world from all that I know:
my family, friends, job, car, house,
a consistent income, etc.
All that is far away from me and in some cases non-existent now. I can’t drive over to my best friends
house anymore, I can’t pick up my cell phone and call them, I can’t come home
this evening and give my parents a hug, I can’t wake up and go to work to bring
home an income, I can’t run to the mall and buy a cute outfit for a party this
weekend and I can’t drive to the beach and sit by myself for hours. I’M IN A RECESSION AND NONE OF THAT IS AN OPTION RIGHT NOW.
But what is an option in “my
own recession” is far better. I feel relationships growing more and more
meaningful than ever. Some are
changing quite drastically, others are moving to a different level and some are
becoming something with passionate depth.
I AM SO GREATFUL FOR ALL OF THEM AND WOULD NOT WANT IT ANY OTHER
WAY. Right now I can’t do much for
these people, but share my story with them and PRAY FOR THEM…that’s all I have
to give. But thankfully I have a God that is faithful to listen to my prayers and can give far more than I ever could.
I’m doing what I am doing for
one reason, which is to obey the call of JESUS. But let me explain what that means. That not only means I’m out telling
women in prostitution that they can make money other ways, but I am serving all
my friends and family at home too.
I’m called to make disciples of the nations, that means ALL
NATIONS. I am called to pray for
my family, friends, teammates, people I dislike and people I don’t even know. I am called to be a SERVANT TO
ALL. That means going to the
depths to find Jesus and then sharing, that means going lower and
being humble just like Jesus did. I don’t have this down yet, but what I can tell you is I am trying and growing closer to God in the process. Although every moment of it is hard, I would not change it for anything. “MY RECESSION” is bringing far more goodness into my life that I could have ever dreamed of, and that is truth!
There is a song by Misty
Edwards that says it perfectly.
YOU’VE GOT TO GO DOWN IF YOU
WANT TO GO UP
YOU’VE GOT TO GO LOWER IF YOU
WANT TO GO HIGHER
YOU’VE GOT TO HIDE AND DO IT
IN SECRET IF YOU WANT TO BE SEEN BY GOD
BECAUSE IT’S AN INSIDE,
OUTSIDE, UPSIDE DOWN KINGDOM WHERE YOU LOSE TO GAIN AND YOU DIE TO LIVE.
I have to see the bottom of me
in order to give to others, I have to be at a point where I have nothing I want
in order to be able to give part of me to others. If I had all I wanted I would not physically, mentally or spiritually be able to give
and see the needs of others. Selfishness and servanthood can occupy the same space, but only one can set you free. I am just now beginning to understand what “to lose is to gain.” As I continue to learn this I thank God that He has brought me to this point and my prayer would be the same for you all. Although I have so much more to see, I can wholeheartedly say that I see more truth now that I ever have before. My prayer is not that you would go on the world race and live in rough conditions, but my prayer is that a “micro recession” would hit your life too, bring you to a place where you see the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ in whatever way God would have that look like for you.
LOVE YOU ALL A TON!!!!!!!!!! MISS YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
