He woke me up with this thought: "You're born to matter, you're here to matter..."
Those words and more just kept going in my head so I had to get up and start typing...
For all I know, there may be a sequel to this piece - but let's start with this one.
The Lord was reminding and challenging me in the same go...using His Word:
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus said:
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its taste, it cannot be made salty again. Salt is useless if it loses its salty taste. It will be thrown out where people will just walk on it. You are the light that shines for the world to see. You are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. People don’t hide a lamp under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand. Then the light shines for everyone in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. (Easy to Read Version)
When you think about it, both things cannot but be noticed. They matter and make a distinguishable difference (ADD) wherever they show up. If absent, they are missed. Likewise, God does not expect us to be matter i.e. a taking space and having mass - He has called us to matter in every place. The second reminder came from this year's theme of our annual Children's & Teens' Celebration taking place today: Engraved in God's hands.
In Isaiah 49: 16a, the Lord tells us:
See, I have written[engraved; inscribed] your name on my hand[palms].**
Have you ever gone a day without using or looking at your hands? I haven't. So being engraved in God's hands is a clear message to us that we matter to Him. (Sis LB, you matter to God & to me - thank you for all you do. You continue to influence our children for good. God bless you).
The 3rd reminder was from the name of this blog: Walking on Water.
Let's read Matthew 13: 26-31 together (emphasis, mine)-
When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”****
In these days, we'd call Peter's request of Jesus "a dare" - I can imagine Peter saying to Jesus, "If it's really, really You, I dare You to ask me to come and walk on water with You."
Jesus didn't take any time to (try to) convince Peter it was Him, all He said was: "Come."
For as long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he walked on water. Today, Jesus still invites us to "walk on water" - and wow the world. Israel Houghton said, "Your "Yes" triggers God's grace."****
We're here to matter and will do amazing things that matter once we keep our eyes on Jesus.
Go forth, make a distinguishable difference and matter...you're here to matter. God bless you.
References:
*Phil 2:13 - [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. (Amplified)^ http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2011/03/grow-glow.html
http://sapphire-and-beryl.blogspot.ca/2012/05/out-of-salt-shaker.html
** Expanded Bible
*** New Living Translation
****http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzQJoB3iqps
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