What Happens Now? After you've seen the light

I {Mandy} wasn't blinded by a light on the road to Damascus like Saul was. Mine was a more gradual journey where I have given my heart to God in fits and starts. 

I was baptized at 13. I understood then who God is and my need for Him, but God allowed me to travel at my own pace. Throughout my life, I have hit many cross-roads where I have been brought to my knees and overwhelmed with emotion in His presence, each time with a greater desire to actively serve Him. 

Those cross-roads yielded different outcomes: a commitment to want to grow deeper in my faith, acknowledgment of my sin, forgiveness of others, stepping out of my comfort zone to be more public with my faith by blogging, asking others to join me in blogging for Him, and now, perhaps the greatest stretch I've made so far, to become a DOer of the Word and not just HEARing it. 

When I first started blogging it was a stretch for me, for sure. It was scary. I was terrified of public opinion, but God has helped me to grow my skin thicker and to see the BIG picture over my fears. Now, it's almost too easy to write something--even something that is soul-baring--and hit "Publish." 

It's too easy to write ABOUT God in the hopes of inspiring others to DO SOMETHING FOR God. I think for a while I felt I was "doing my part" by writing words that would resonate and spark a change in someone else. And I believe I was doing what I was called to do. I still feel called to write, but...

But that spark I was [potentially] lighting under someone else is now a blazing inferno under my own backside. While God's Word all by itself heals and doesn't need our help to do so, we are called to be the Church--to be actively doing the will of God. My words are cheap and useless if I am not willing to follow through with my actions. 

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"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:17

Since I can remember, I've had a heart for people. Even as a child and young teen I would lay awake at night and cry knowing there were homeless people and abused children in the world. My heart ached. I didn't know why I had this terrible "curse" of feeling such strong emotions...until now. 

While my tears and prayers were honorable, they did nothing to actually be part of a solution to help the people I was grieving for. What they did do was create in me a desire to help these people find better. They need Jesus, yes. Absolutely, but He calls us to be a part of that. Instead of merely talking (or writing) about Jesus, I must show them Jesus. 

"If one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?" James 2:16

It's God's grace alone that saves us. But once we accept that grace and truly commit our hearts to Him, we are changed. Having the Holy Spirit in you and asking for Him to actively work in your life makes it nearly impossible NOT to change. 

"And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time." 1 Kings 8:61

When we are completely sold-out to God and ask Him to take the wheel of our life, we align ourselves with Him and His purpose. Suddenly, those things that seemed so important aren't anymore. The promotion, the new car, the big house, the high-end clothes, the dream vacation, the gadgets (or whatever it may be in your life)...they aren't as important anymore. Pretty soon, we start seeing people differently. We start realizing everyone has worth and value. Every single person on this planet was created with absolute precision and the utmost care and attention to every detail. The same way God fashioned us with love and a unique plan etched into each one of our souls, so He created everyone--without qualifying. 

Suddenly, we begin to feel His burden, His love, His compassion, His empathy, His desire that not one would perish. 

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

And something from 2 Peter 3:9 (in the box above) just punched me right between the eyes. Sometimes I pray for the end. I have cried out more than once "Come quickly, Lord Jesus!" because this world is an awful place so often. But when I do that, I am disregarding His desire that all would come to know Him so that none would perish. Even more? Maybe He's waiting for me to do my part. 

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

If I count my greatest trials as computer glitches, server failure, or an image not quite right for a blog post, what kind of crown will I receive? When I arrive in Heaven and stand before Jesus, I don't want to stand before Him with soft, manicured hands that have spent a lifetime on a keyboard in the safety of my own home in Suburbia, USA. I want to crawl before Him, and fall flat on my face, exhausted and spent from having given every last bit of my energy to serving Him. Whether that is service to my husband, my children, my family, friends, my church, my neighborhood, community, those less fortunate, and yes, even in blogging and writing, I want to have given my all and used my talents to the best and the fullest (Matthew 25:14-30).

This will not look the same for all of us. Not all will travel to 3rd world countries or inner-cities. Not all with help end human trafficking or abortion, but ALL must be doing something. 

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

If you feel the stirring in your soul to serve God wholeheartedly, follow it! Seek His guidance and wisdom. May we not be like the church in Sardis:

To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

"These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you." Revelation 3

Dear Heavenly Father, awaken us, Lord! Breathe new life into our hearts and fan the flames of our souls to serve You. Open our eyes to opportunities right before me to serve the least of these. Align our hearts to Yours and give us bravery and boldness to step forward wherever You lead us. In Jesus' name, Amen.