Ordinary People

God consistently uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. More than that, He uses the unqualified...the exact opposite person you would expect...to carry out His will. Numerous characters of the Bible remind us of this:

David, a mere shepherd boy, anointed king over a nation. Moses, a stutter, advocated for and succeeded in the liberation of slaves. Esther, a beauty queen, risked her life to prevent a racist annihilation of the Jews. A choir of worship leaders, put on the front lines of battle, led the victory of Judah and all inhabitants of Jerusalem over their attacker.

Perhaps as a college student you have felt discouraged at your unqualified nature to help. I know I have. We are in this awkward position of training, waiting to be "credited" and given a fancy piece of paper that says we are ready for the work world. We are finally declared adequate to use our passions, creativity, intelligence, and gifts to really make a difference in the lives of people around the world with this fancy paper we call a "diploma."

When it is tempting to feel overwhelmed by the never ending need and the never ending depravity of this world, do not lose heart. God often doesn't call the qualified to do His work. Instead, he calls the unqualified then prepares them accordingly. He has already provided all of the tools necessary for you to carry out His will -- to love mercy, to act justly, and to walk humbly with Him.

David had experience caring for a flock. He had experience trusting the Lord to deliver him and his sheep from seemingly impossible enemies of lions and bears. God lifted up a humble harpist to lead His chosen nation.

Moses, resistant and doubtful of his capability to speak for an audience, let alone the Pharaoh, was provided with the simple tools to complete his mission - a staff and his own hand. When Moses continued to complain of his inadequacy, God reminded him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes his mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now, therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak." God faithfully kept His promise and led the people of Israel out of slavery.

Esther, an orphan, was just a pretty face in a crowd of people. But God used her outward and inward beauty to win the heart of the king. With steps of faith, she ultimately saved her people.

Worship leaders, the last people you would put on the front lines of battle, led the army. Because of their obedience, God turned their enemies against one another. The enemies destroyed each other, and all Judah had to do was sing!

Take a look at your passions, your gifts... What are you good at? What brings you life and excitement? Whether you are an artist, a science nerd, a math whiz, graphic designer, writer, political enthusiast, computer genius, history lover...whether you are a good people watcher, dancer, creative builder, caretaker, singer, linguist, puppeteer...whether administration, organization, management, public speaking, film-making, or making people laugh is your talent... God can use you. And He will if you act in obedience.

So let us use our current abilities to be encouraged by how God is already preparing us to do His work. Let us run with perseverance the race marked before us to bring the gospel to all nations. Let us take note of every individual in need and act in compassion that they may glorify our Father in Heaven.

Are you ready? From one ordinary person to another... We are in this together, my friend.

Forgotten Dreams Remembered by a Faithful God

There is something I have been missing since I returned from Kenya three months ago. It did not strike me until I was flying from San Jose back to Irvine.

I wasn't ready to leave. I was comfortable, enjoying my time at home, finally getting to spend time with my parents. I hadn't had a break to spend with family in the home I grew up in for that long in at least a couple of years. Leaving was not easy, but I knew good things were to come of this next quarter. I was looking forward to arriving back at my apartment and settling in before starting another quarter of science classes.

As the plane slowly lowered elevation, I looked out the window to see lights illuminate an otherwise dark city. As I reflected and let my eyes wander, it felt like I was descending in to a galaxy. The millions of lights were millions of stars floating in dark space. Some were gathered together in clusters. Some bright. Some faded. I felt like I had taken a step out of the world to stand back and get just a glimpse of how majestic God created this universe. I was reminded of His sovereignty and His grace to even take note of me.

Now, of course, I was not descending into some galaxy...just Irvine. I knew that. But you see, it had been a while since I let my artsy mind take over to allow me to delight in something so simple, so beautiful. After so many reminders of suffering, pain, poverty, I was afraid to let my heart delight in the simple--to dream.

Just the other day, I was looking through old blogs of my time in Kenya in 2010. Considering my experience this year was quite different, I was intrigued, reading over some of my experiences and dreams last year. Many of the hopes and dreams I had expressed, God answered.

In one of my blogs, I mentioned that if I could only return to one place in Kenya, it would be Lower Taita. Lower Taita was the first place we traveled upcountry. I was reunited with Pastor Joshua and his family, and blessed inexplicably. In another, I mentioned the dream of returning to HEART as staff. This past year I served as part-time mission staff, specifically intern coordinator.

Safe to say, God continues to fulfill his promises.

I am currently reading The Hole in our Gospel by Richard Stearns, President of World Vision U.S. since June 1998. And loving it, I might add. It has brought me to tears, laughter, and I find myself connecting with his experiences and encouraged by his steps of faith. A quote that he noted at the beginning of one of the chapters is by Rick Warren. I have come to love and be consistently encouraged by it: "If God only used perfect people, nothing would get done."

All this to say, I am daily reminded by the ways God has exquisitely blessed me and continues to be faithful to keep his promises, as imperfect, unfaithful, prideful, blind, and stubborn as I may be. And I am excited to dream again...and see where He will take me next...