Alcoholics Anonymous.
Yup, clinical experience of the day.
This sounds silly, but as I sat there listening to all these absolutely unreal stories about drug addictions, moving into the woods with some stranger because you're so high, bouncing in and out of jail 6-7 times, giving birth in the back of a truck on the coast of Oregon...the list goes on and on....I realized something profound.
God loves these people just as much as He loves me.
Yeah, yeah...I know this isn't so profound to some of you. But as my roommates often remind me, I'm one of the more naive people of this world (of which I'm grateful--thank you, Bountiful). I am no better for having the gospel in my life, all that means is I've been given additional responsibility to GO SHARE IT.
The good news?
I'm gone 3 weeks from tomorrow.
At times I find myself in a twisted, messy, unhealthy relationship with life that I forget one simple truth--God has placed me in the situation I'm currently in because He believed I would do something about it. Sure, it's a piece of cake to share it when that's all I will be doing for 18 months. That will be my life! But at home there are so many distractions. Something else I often forget is that it does not have to be a formal, sit down, let-me-teach-you-the-gospel discussion. Silly!
I have just one request:
Find a simple way to share the gospel with someone today.
Emphasis on SIMPLE.
'Cause frankly, the gospel is simple.
"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about His great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." -Alma 37:6-7
Hear that? VERY SMALL MEANS.
Emphasize what you can do, not what you don't have time to.
There will never be enough time, if you let it be that way. My point is don't overlook simple ways to serve because you are in search of a grandiose experience. You'll be waiting a looooooong time if that's the case.
Just get out there and do something.
Yup, clinical experience of the day.
This sounds silly, but as I sat there listening to all these absolutely unreal stories about drug addictions, moving into the woods with some stranger because you're so high, bouncing in and out of jail 6-7 times, giving birth in the back of a truck on the coast of Oregon...the list goes on and on....I realized something profound.
God loves these people just as much as He loves me.
Yeah, yeah...I know this isn't so profound to some of you. But as my roommates often remind me, I'm one of the more naive people of this world (of which I'm grateful--thank you, Bountiful). I am no better for having the gospel in my life, all that means is I've been given additional responsibility to GO SHARE IT.
The good news?
I'm gone 3 weeks from tomorrow.
At times I find myself in a twisted, messy, unhealthy relationship with life that I forget one simple truth--God has placed me in the situation I'm currently in because He believed I would do something about it. Sure, it's a piece of cake to share it when that's all I will be doing for 18 months. That will be my life! But at home there are so many distractions. Something else I often forget is that it does not have to be a formal, sit down, let-me-teach-you-the-gospel discussion. Silly!
I have just one request:
Find a simple way to share the gospel with someone today.
Emphasis on SIMPLE.
'Cause frankly, the gospel is simple.
"By small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about His great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." -Alma 37:6-7
Hear that? VERY SMALL MEANS.
Emphasize what you can do, not what you don't have time to.
There will never be enough time, if you let it be that way. My point is don't overlook simple ways to serve because you are in search of a grandiose experience. You'll be waiting a looooooong time if that's the case.
Just get out there and do something.
this reminded me of something that happened to me today.
ReplyDeletei was waiting for my interview at cafe rio (woot woot!) and talking to a kid also waiting to be interviewed. come to find out he used to go to school in iowa to play soccer but moved home (and now goes to suu) to help his mom. who is disabled. and single. and he is desperately looking for a job since she can't work.
i should have just told the interviewers to give this kid the job. but i'm definitely going to pray for him to get it.
Alcoholics anonymous for a clinical?! Hello!! I am jealous! Sounds super interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder -- I can do simple! I love those small simple opportunities--they make life worth living!
ReplyDelete