Lately, God has been revealing His desire to use me, and it feels like He’s made some outlandish claims in regard to how He plans to do this. It seems clear that He’s asking me to speak! In response, I feel like saying, “Me? Talk to other people? Like, relationships? Come on God, you know I’m more of an acquaintance kind of guy!” To my surprise, He has continued to press further into my heart His crazy idea of having me interact with other people and to display His love while doing so.
Recently, God has had me stop and pray for strangers, talk to my coworkers about Jesus and initiate conversations about ministry and His Love at the dinner table– while we’re eating out! Slowly, obedience in these areas has become more like something I desire to do, and less like feeling that I’m following a bizarre calling I would rather just ignore. I find that I actually want to prepare my heart and mind for encounters with those who are lost, in hopes that the Holy Spirit will use me through simple interactions and through boldly revealing to others the greatest Love dismissed by man.
My wife and I recently found out that we are expecting our third child, which is amazing for so many reasons. I’m sure many can relate to the excitement and anticipation, all while wondering, “How will we do this?” and “What will this be like?” When God started tugging at my heart to be open to true relationships with others, I was eager to be used. I was also terrified that I wouldn’t be able to do it, let alone be genuine while doing it! But when God is in you, there is nothing to worry about.
That’s what is so amazing! If you are in Christ, GOD IS IN YOU!
Before we were even interested in having a perfect Father, He made the way for us to have a Heavenly One.
Before we broke our vows here on earth, He made a promise that would last forever.
Before we could accuse God of “never hearing us,” He gave us a voice that could call out “Abba! Father!”
And before we gave our hearts to the lusts of the flesh, He laid claim on our hearts that He might reside in us.
God was hungry for you before you ever tasted His goodness. He desired your heart before you desired His. Now He is calling out the gold that He placed in your heart long before you were made. He’s going through the boxes in the attic and reminding you of your purpose: to Love and to be Loved. This fierce hunger didn’t start with your desire for Him, but with His desire for you. Now you are being transformed by the Love shown in Christ through the power of His Holy Spirit!
Jesus taught His disciples constantly. He gave them examples of how to live and parables to understand. There are several records of Him making Himself known as the Son of God to them, but there is only one record of Jesus praying for His disciples and believers:
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” –John 17:24-26
The Love of God in Christ is given to us because He desires that we may know Him. He desires to be made known, but that starts with knowing the Love that God has for us. We are not left out of the equation! He longs for us to be used in ways we’ve forgotten we were designed to be used! Much like our third child, we may now only know the promise of his or her coming, but once we see it fulfilled, we will wonder how we ever lived without that beautiful child.
If you’ve forgotten the Promise, God still loves you. If you’ve passed on the call, He’s still calling. If you’ve pacified your hunger with this world, He’s patiently waiting with a full-course meal, a feast of His sufficiency. God is prepared to make Himself known in your life. He prepared the Way through Christ so that you can know Him truly. He calls us to more because He has so much more to give. His Love is never-ending! His power is ready to save, transform, and heal this lost, broken and hurting world. Hear the call of the Lord. Never forget that God fiercely hungers to use His sons and daughters as mighty warriors for His Kingdom. He is teaching us to fight in the name of Love. Pursue Him, because He has pursued you first.
He is in you.
Nick Stohler, Revelation Wellness Instructor
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9 Responses
This reflection by Nick Stohler is great! May I use parts of it in my church’s worship servicr, with proper credit given, of course?
Thank you,
Pr. Jim Person
St. Mark Lutheran church, harrisburg, pa
Yes, that would be GREAT!
Thank you for the great word
Funny thing is i have been asking god To be with me as i work ok removinG clutter and forming hAbits aroind my dishes. I think this revfit message allows me To remember i can do Those tHings to the Glory of God. Now that is What i call motivation!
Great, fulfiilling message. Great to remember, pass forward, and food for our souls messAge.
I love this it came right ont time. There’s nothing greater than the love of CHRIST. I was weary but this just gave me a boost I’m walking in faith and doing that you can’t see the end you just got to keep stepping trusting that God have you …and thanks for being obedient truly amazing
AMEN! amen brother! Such good words and reminder. thanks for answering his call and sharing his goodness with us.
Preach! A big AMEN on that! Thank you for sharing the word@
Preach! A big AMEN on that! Thank you for sharing the word!