The Unlikely Candidate

When I was probably 13-14 years old, I was praying one night at a church summer camp and the message had been to seek our calling. I was so frustrated because I had heard others testify how God had revealed to them they had been called to preach or a missionary and me...still nothing. I wish I could remember the name of the camp worker that came up to me...but he leaned into me and said “God has called you to be an encourager.”

Huh?!?! Seriously? That’s it?

It wasn’t until just recently that I’ve felt such a passion for a gift that God has given me.

Looking back over my life, I have had multiple experiences that have truly humbled me. I didn’t realize then that God has his hand on me even when I wasn’t following him. But he loved me and he was praying for me. Then I read about Peter, one of Jesus disciples:

Luke 22: 31-32 The Passion Translation (TPT)

31 “Peter, my dear friend, listen to what I’m about to tell you. Satan has demanded to come and sift you like wheat and test your faith. 32 But I have prayed for you, Peter, that you would stay faithful to me no matter what comes. Remember this: after you have turned back to me and have been restored, make it your life mission to strengthen the faith of your brothers.”

So sometimes our different sins are viewed in categories to the world and unfortunately sometimes even people of the church. It’s even hard for people to see past the wrong that people have done because unlike Jesus it is hard for them to forget. Even worse, we label ourselves.

The cool thing about the story of Peter is that Jesus knew Peter was going to betray him (which by the way was like blasphemy) and he prayed for him and told Peter that when he was restored...he would be kinda like Christ’s ambassador on a mission to tell the world about God’s grace.  

I consider myself blessed to have faced all of my trials. I have a story of how God gave me life and raised me out of a state of feeling so much unrest and daily turmoil. When you feel hopeless, it is one of the best times to get close with God.

Like Peter, I am so humbled by God’s grace that it’s no longer about what God can do for me (what can be more than His grace?). I want to live and breathe the love of Christ and let Him shine through me.