Life Out There

Life. I get so caught up in mine that I forget there is so much out there beyond me…

It hit me this weekend, while browsing through my social media that I noticed the lives of my friends. In one weekend, there was a wedding, a divorce, a birth, a death, celebrations, sad announcements… the list goes on. And I was humbled once again at the reminder that this world doesn’t revolve around me. And the even greater reminder that God is Omnipotent and I am, not.  (Jeremiah 10:12)

I have a hard enough time keeping track of my own life, daily tasks and chores, let alone my friends’ lives—and yet God has it all under control. Some of the events in my newsfeed surprised me, but none of them surprised God. (Isaiah 55:8) He is using each event to His Will, according to His Plan. (Jeremiah 29:11,  Romans 8:28) (I get stressed just trying to plan dinner…).

I guess what I’m trying to say is that there is so much out ‘there’ than us, and it’s about time we start realizing it, and take action in it. (1 Timothy 1:16-18) We’ve got to get out of our own little world, and see the big world around us. I’m not going to pretend this idea doesn’t put additional stress in my life, without any action. The mere thought of adding something to my already hectic, life-draining schedule freaks me out some. But this isn’t a comfy, cozy life we’re supposed to be living. We’re supposed to step up and step out for Jesus! Get up off that couch, and out into the world. (Matthew 5:14-16)

Maybe you’re supposed to be volunteering at a shelter, or your church… Maybe you’re supposed to be visiting the sick and needy… Maybe you’re supposed to be writing a check equivalent to your car payment to a ministry… (Matthew 6:3-4)

Or… (Because we’re not all called to a ‘large scale’ ministry…)

Maybe you’re supposed to be helping your friend (or better yet, non-friend) on a household project… Maybe you’re supposed to be cooking for and/or visiting your elderly, lonely neighbor… Maybe you’re supposed to be writing a check equivalent to your take out coffee bill to your church… (Proverbs 21:26)

We all have something we can give. Some of us have more available time, than others. Some of us have more available money than others. We find the time to do what we really want to do; and we somehow find the money to buy what we really want to buy… So it’s about time we start sacrificing a little of one or both to God’s Kingdom. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8; Philippians 2:4; James 2:14-23)