Yesterday I met up with my squad and we all traveled from Lesotho to South Africa. My team will be serving in Middleburg this month but right now I am sitting in Johannesburg, the capital city. I am not currently with my team because one of my Squad Leaders, Madie, needed to get a new passport at the US Consulate which is here in Joburg. We are staying with another team from my squad for these few days that we will be here in Joburg.
We have had the opportunity to meet and stay with Pastor Hendrick and his family. We got to share a meal and got to know each other a little bit last night. It was a wonderful night of good food, laughter, prayer, and fellowship. At the end of the night, we took the team to where they are staying for the month and Madie and I came back to the house where we are staying. We were sitting around the kitchen, just chatting a little more, when Pastor Hendrick took out his bible and said he had some words for me.
“Do you know the beer here in South Africa? The one called Savanna?” he said to me.
“I do know what you are talking about,” I replied. Almost every person I have met in South Africa has told me about that beer because they just think it so funny that I have the same name.
This is what he said next, “Just like that beer can make someone drunk if they drink too much of it, you will make people drunk with the words that you share with them. They will be drunk on the truth and wisdom that leaves your mouth. Truth and wisdom that come from knowing and spending time with Jesus.”
Small tears began to fill my eyes.
“I see Savannah as a brand name. Sort of like Nike, or something like that. Savannah will be a brand name. Girls, young girls, and women will hear your voice and be attracted to what you have to say. I see you in a crowd of hundreds of people and they are listening to what you have to say about Jesus. Now some will hate you, but that’s because they reject Jesus and they will have to account for that one day. But you will speak and young girls will be attracted to what you have to say.”
I began to cry, a small, quiet cry. How sweet is Jesus, giving Hendrick these words and visions. How sweet is Jesus, that He would give me the words to speak. How sweet is Jesus, that He would want to use me. A messed up, broken, ordinary sinner.
“I have this verse. Luke 2:52. And it says, ‘And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years and in favor with God and man.’ But I see your name there. Savannah will increase in wisdom and in favor with God and man.”
I began to cry and Pastor Hendrick began to pray. What a God I serve. Wow y’all. I don’t tell you this because I am just so awesome that God wants to use me or do anything spectacular. I tell you this to…
- Keep myself accountable, because all of this can only come me knowing and spending time with Jesus
- Tell you that no matter who you are, God can use you. Like I said, I am just an ordinary sinner that is broken without the the strength of the Lord.
No matter who you are, if you let Jesus use you He will do just that. Don’t be afraid of what He will use you for, but just step out in obedience when He calls your name. Let Him speak through you. When you hear the voice of the Lord telling you to do something, no matter how scary, step out and see what He will do through you. God can use each of us in big ways. We just have to let Him.
With love,
sav
