For God so loved the world....

God so loved the world that he gave his only son.

I got off work today and I was driving to meet with my student pastor and some other youth.

I drove to an intersection where I saw a man in a fast food restaurant outfit standing on the side of the road.

He had two canes and his legs were deformed. He crutched to the button and then walked back to the side of the road, and I couldn’t watch any longer. Each step he took was painful to me.

My light to turn left changed to green, and I started forward, and he too started forward. I couldn’t help but look back and I saw him running across the street. He winced with each step, and I could not hold back my tears any longer.

Some people ask why people have faith in a higher being? Why we believe in God when the world spins out of control? When babies cry hungry in the streets and when men suffer in agony from illnesses they’ve had since birth?
If your God is so powerful then why does he allow bad things to happen?

My question to those people is how could you not. How could you live each day and see the pain in this world and not believe? More significantly, how could you feel pain and not believe that God the father almighty has a plan for the world and that the pain that you are feeling is merely a thread in the greater tapestry of the world?

My faith in God does not rest that he will always bring me good. My faith is based on the fact that he is a God who is always good and that he will lead me through the bad.

My mind wandered to what God wants for me. I am fine with not knowing the plan. I am fine with living under him and with him all at the same time. He is my ultimate authority and my best friend. He leads me and I will follow.

I shamed myself for complaining about cleaning the dishes when moments before I had food to eat on those same dishes. I shamed myself for complaining about homework when I am granted the opportunity to seek the knowledge of this world and to become a greater temple for him. I shamed myself for complaining about not having enough time when all the time I have is a gift from God.

I pray that I will allow God to push me. When he calls me, I will respond with my mouth open, my foot steady and my arms open. I pray that he will lead me so that I can take care of his people. That I can hug and love on the rest of his creation.

I love him. I love his creation. I love this chance at a life that he has given me.

I’m on board. I’m ready. Take me where you need me.