Recently I had a couple of yard sales as fundraisers. I got to be honest I didn’t have high expectations for it. I mean how much money can you raise off of yard sales anyway? So I reluctantly asked family and friends if they had anything they have been meaning to get rid of. They did. And before I knew it my whole garage was full. Couches, stoves, books, toys, kitchen items, electronics and piles and piles of cloths. In turn I went through some of my things. The first time I had one small bag. Meanwhile my closet had items in it I haven’t ever used. Stuff I bought a long time ago for when I got my own house and clothes I was saving for “when I get slimmer. “ I felt God speak to me and say “What are you saving this for? Why is it so hard for you to get rid of it?” I tried to ignore the conviction but later that night while reading The Word He showed me this:
“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.” Philippians 3:7-9
I sat there for the longest and meditated on that. I hoarded this stuff and used it as a blanket of security when in reality it was….trash. What was more important? That was an obvious. So that next week I sold my bedroom set, all my purses, half of my clothes, shoes, accessories, and all the crap I had been saving. The yard sale was a huge success! Let’s just say God showed up and showed out. He blessed me with almost $1,500! I was blown away! But what really surprised me was all the support. I was so touched with everyone who donated their things and came out and bought stuff. I had friends and their family members who stayed up all night making signs. People who showed up early in the morning to help set up. Others who passed out fliers at their church and advertised. Majority of these people are not devout Christians. They don’t go to church every week. Many are still into the party scene and into drugs. And God used them.
When I thought about the people who God was going to use to make this 11 month-11 country missions trip possible I thought of people from my church, who I have small groups with and people I do outreaches with. God specifically chose them, and I am so glad he did. He reminded me that no one is too far from his reach. The drunkard, the promiscuous, and thief all are useful to The Kingdom. After all isn’t that what we were before we gave our life to Jesus? The only difference is that we now put our hope in Him and our identity is found in the cross. No longer a liar but a prophet, not a murderer but a preacher, not a mistake but the child of the one true King! Praise Him. The Forgiver. The Provider. The Life Changer.
