When my parents were in San Francisco last weekend, my roommate, my parents and I decided to go grab some dinner. When we were walking down my roommate stopped and asked me if it was alright if he ran into North Star (a bar) to grab his sweatshirt that he had left the previous Saturday. I thought it was kinda weird that he would say that in front of my parents but I didn’t care so I followed him in.
To my surprise I walk in to see 15 of my friends waiting for me. I had NO idea. I have never had anyone plan a surprise anything for me I was so shocked I didn’t know what I was suppose to do. It was one of the nicest things anyone had ever done for me. My roommate had organized it with the bar to set up a table and take donations for a wristband. The wristbands got you one more hour of happy hour prices. This was not really not much of a discount but he was able to raise $350. I was blown away!
I loved being able to see everyone and catch up before I left San Francisco but what I loved most is Gods sense of humor. He uses a struggle from my past (drinking, bars, the party lifestyle) to provide for my future. I didn’t get drunk, far from it (I had one beer), but God showed me that I was still able to fit in and be a light for others.
Whether we think so or not each of our lives are perfectly designed. Every struggle, every fall, every sin was put in our lives for a reason. Don’t get me wrong God does not desire us to sin, He is not the one temping us or leading us to Sin (James 1:13) . But he also is not going to past up the opportunity to use that struggle for good. He uses those experiences and struggles to help us reach others in similar situations. There are things in my past I am not proud of, things I would rather not share, things that brought me shame (key word “brought” not bring). But once we return to Christ and offer up our sins and ask for forgiveness, we are Forgiven, Period! Those things are no longer allowed to shame us. God has given us authority over them. But He calls us to share those stories, share those experiences, even those ones we would rather not share, he calls us to stand tall and proud as He HAS mended us and made us whole.
