Have you ever found yourself in a situation or a conversation where you felt completely out of control?  Those situations, where you can relate to another person all too closely?  A situation where you see reflections of your past experiences and decisions making their mark in the life of another?  You think about what you can say, how you can impact these people…what is it that will keep them from making those same mistakes I made?  You search for words and come up with nothing. 

 They say God works through all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28-29).  I don’t have to think too hard to uncover the choices I’ve made that have had lasting effects and consequences in my life.  But, I don’t always look at those experiences as something God will work through.  Romans 8:28 tells us God does, but it’s not until I see Him working that I really believe those words.  This is my life right now.  There is a little bit of pressure that accompanies these situations.  I know for me, I begin to feel pressure that what I say can make or break a person in terms of what they’re dealing with.  I look into their lives and I see myself as a young adult/Christian, trying to justify, trying to walk the right path, but also carrying the chains and habits of a life defined by sin and distance from God.  I don’t feel like I have power or ability to speak into their lives, but obviously God does since He’s brought them there and keeps them around.  So, I think about it and hit my knees…and God gently reminds me of who He wants me to be. 

 “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you our of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1Peter 2:9)

 God has appointed all believers to be a royal priesthood that belongs to Him.  We don’t have to go to seminary or spend hours studying Greek and Hebrew to be effective.  God has called us all, and subsequently enabled all of us to live the lives of ministers.  Our ministry begins through who we are and how He’s gifted us.  The only thing is that when we begin to interact with others, we tend to move our focus from the hand of God to what we can say or do that will impact the lives of these people.  It’s so easy to forget the very element that we should cling to: the power of God’s hand.  It’s not our words that will penetrate the hearts of people, its God’s Spirit that does it all.  We can share experiences and what we’ve learned, but ultimately it’s God that creates change in one’s life.  When I think about this new territory God is bringing me to and I find myself at a loss for words, I find comfort in remembering that I am a minister of God’s truth.  I find comfort in remembering that I don’t need to plan words or advice.  All I have to do is be who I am, a woman who has ventured far from God’s hand, but has gracefully found her way back.  Somehow God will work through who we are – the good and bad parts of our lives.  Instead of worrying about what we can do or say, maybe it’s time to just be…