I've slowly been coming to grips with the thought that friendships aren't always about me and my benefit. It obviously is a thought that God is still transforming and changing, but I thought I'd share a few thoughts on this topic. Let me restart this blog...except "story-telling" style!
One fine afternoon, when the sun was thankfully shining in the middle of a season that is known to freeze off every finger that you posses I had a jaw-dropping, tear-jerking, somewhat of a face slapping conversation with two people that can easily say, "Been there done that." While discussing many issues of life I had this thought presented to me that I had always refused to think.
You've got to allow God to bring you to a place of realizing that relationships aren't only what you can get out of them. Instead, shift that thought and know that God is going to place certain people around you that need a piece of Rose.
Now, don't let me fool you. That comment can seem a bit...prideful, conceited, whatever you may choose. In reality it pressed me to my international boundaries. And yes, I said international. It stretched me beyond every reasonable limit. I have to give of myself, even when I don't "feel" like it. I mean, I'm sure Jesus had some moments of wishing He was left alone. Had the testing thought, "Are you going to keep giving, or sit back and let them pass you by?" Fortunately He didn't sit on His bum and watch the world pass. He got up, and gave of Himself. He gave of Himself until, literally, there was nothing to give. And, how did that affect the person on the other side of the relationship? One word, redemption. It was life-changing for all of us.
So, why don't I do that myself? Is life all about me or how God can use me to affect the multitudes? If the word multitude is too much of an expanding word I'll break it down. How is God going to use you with your brother, co-worker, the fellow student that always seems to be in all of your classes, or the friend that you literally spend every moment with?
When this thought smacked me in my face a few times I began to question if I was even able to impart into people. Let me shut that lie down real fast; yes, yes you can. God hasn't set us in a place that is too hard to handle when we function through His grace. Here's a line I like, "God hasn't given us the responsibility without the ability." So yes, I, as well as you, can step out of "me world" and step into, "how can I change the world?"
Let me just say, it is amazing what happens when you start submitting yourself to allowing God to work through you. People that you least expect might just come up to you that need a piece of you, and by you I mean the power of the Holy Spirit that is flowing through you.
Welp, that's my current thought. Step into it, stand in it, soak in it, and let the transformation begin.
