Since I was a 5 yr old redhead with skinned knees, I’ve wanted to change the world. Whenever I’ve been involved in something bigger than me, something that taps into the grandness of God, I get this settled feeling of “All is well, I’m fulfilling my purpose for today.”
With this on the brain, recently, I’ve been sitting in 1 John 2:12-13A…
“I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.”
Now, if there’s ANYTHING I learned in seminary, it’s to pay attention when the Bible repeats itself…if Scripture is God’s Voice to His people, then when it repeats itself it’s like His Voice through a BULLhorn!! So when John says “Little children…Fathers…Young men” TWO times, in different ways, I know this is more than John just wanting to use up a little ink on parchment…or dried animal skins, take your preference!
When I read this lines, I see myself in all of these…
1. I am a little child, He is my Dad. He is speaking to me because I am full of His grace…I am grateful.
2. I am a father to others in the faith. He is speaking to me because I see He Who Is From The Beginning and has a plan far greater than anything I could dream up. My soul rests in this space: My Father has a plan far bigger than me and He is actively working to accomplish it. He’s got it. He’s always had it. He’s got me.
3. I am a young woman. He is speaking to because I am warring every day (with the full armor of God) to bring about His will here on this earth. I am graced to be a small cog in His huge story.
Recognizing my identity as John spoke of it here, I can truly tap into that “bigger than me” story that He is weaving all about me. Full of gratitude, resting in His wiser-than-me plan, I am actively seeking to play my part.
Gosh! This just FIRES ME UP! He called out the different parts that I play so I’d realize I have to do it all together to bring Him the most glory…If I war against darkness without rest in Him, I am worn out. If I rest in Him without warring, I get lazy. If I arrive at ANYTHING without a grateful attitude, I am full of pride.
So today, I’m playing my little part…abiding in Him with a grateful heart and seeking opportunities to serve His bigger-than-me story. And in my own little way, He IS changing the world through me. Now THAT’s a big deal.
