“Every morning that the sun rises and you get to rise? That’s God saying He believes in you, that He believes in the story He’s writing through you. He believes in you as a gift the world needs.” ~Ann Voskamp in The Broken Way
God is writing a story through me and through you.
We may be in different chapters of life. Our circumstances aren’t likely the same. Yet God has each of us here today for a purpose, and He has a plan for us to fulfill that will bring glory to Him.
It’s not an oversight on His part that we are alive. Each day, God places the people in our lives that He would have for us to influence. He allows situations to unfold that cause us to rely on Him. Our faith then grows, day by day, as we see God’s faithfulness to us revealed.
How sweet and comforting to know that, in the words of one of my mom’s favorite songs, “…His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.” [Civilla D. Martin, 1905]
Ann Voskamp, in The Broken Way, goes on to say,
“Before you blink and your one life’s a tendril of smoke, a memory, a vapor gone, know this: you are where you are for such a time as this – not to make an impression, but to make a difference. We aren’t here to one-up one another, but to help one another up.“
We are here to make a difference.
Some people make a louder, more visible difference. They have a larger platform, an unmistakable talent. Yet no matter what our sphere of influence today, we can make a difference. Maybe we meet a simple need in the life of our child, or do some small task that makes our husband’s day a bit easier. Our difference-making doesn’t have to be big to be valuable.
Sometimes I’m guilty of wanting to make an impression. “What does she think about me?” I might wonder. “Does this outfit look okay?” “Did anyone notice how I just helped out around here?” So then I have to ask myself, “Is my ministry truly focused on others or is it about me?” With the Holy Spirit’s help, I can keep my attention where it should be. I can learn to truly care about others.
Let compassion rule my life.
I like what Jude 22 reminds me of. “And of some have compassion, making a difference.” At the heart of making a difference is a concern for others, a sympathy for what a friend or neighbor is going through. Having that as my focus leads me to find ways of encouraging and blessing them.
The prior verse, Jude 21, gives the foundation for my compassion “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Remembering God’s love for me and His mercy in saving me, I can extend the same love and mercy to the people in my life.
So wherever you are today, don’t feel insignificant. Even if the hours ahead are filled with simple, everyday tasks, know that God has you here for a purpose. There is a reason He’s placed you where you are. The story He’s writing with your life isn’t finished yet. He has more for you to do – more people to reach, more love to give, more prayers to pray.
May God grant us His help to live with compassion, and make a difference in some way today.
Related posts:
How Can God Use Me Today?
Living Grateful: Making a Daily Choice to Give Thanks
Truths to Hold On To When Trials Come
What’s that quote? “The hand that rocks the cradle changes the world.” Being a SAHM doesn’t sound like a world-changing job, but you never know. Only God knows who my children will become and how He will use them.
And, like you said, showing sympathy for a hurting friend can definitely change her world.
So true! We may not see today the influence we’re having, but if we’re faithfully doing what God has called us to do, we can know that He is doing a work in and through us.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record…YES, YES, YES! As usual, I love all of this. But some favorite bits: 1) “He allows situations to unfold that cause us to rely on Him.” Amen and amen, sister. Feeling that SO much these days; 2) “Our difference-making doesn’t have to be big to be valuable.” Straight to my mom heart. Thank you, my friend.
Thanks, Elizabeth! Thinking of you and all that you have in front of you in the coming weeks, and praying that it will be a sweet time for you and your family as you look ahead to celebrating this graduation milestone!!
I love those Ann Voskamp quotes from “The Broken Way”! The 2nd one is very Esther = made for such a time as this.
And my mom’s favorite hymn is “His Eye is on the Sparrow” ❤️