Made for More

You know, God speaks through His people. And it was through another blogger, a lady named Annie, that God reminded me of why I write. I do it because I want to encourage people. I want to write about my ups and downs with God… the truth about God & me… so that others will be encouraged when they’re feeling discouraged. Annie mentioned Hebrews 10:25… And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. She said in meeting together (through Facebook, blogs, etc.), we can do just that. We can encourage one another. And so, although I recently lost my way and forgot why I was doing what I do, I am slowly finding my way back. And I remember… I write to encourage. That’s why I do what I do.

And this is what struck me today. Not a new thought, I’m sure, but it hit me in a fresh way. Probably because I was surfing through Facebook, and so many things caught my eye. All different postings, but a common theme in all. Here are a few examples… “When all you’ve got left is being strong~~~you’ve got to find a little faith to fall back on…” This posted by a friend who has two boys, both with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. “Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come,” followed by the words, “I hope so.” This from my loved one who just had her second kidney removed. She’s undergoing dialysis for at least two years, at which time she’ll be eligible for a kidney transplant – if she remains cancer free. “In this world, you will have trouble; but take heart, I have OVERCOME the world.” This shared by a friend that I know has overcome difficulty in her life. “Open house this Sunday… please share, we need to sell our house.” This posted by my sister-in-law. “Lord, I bring to You my burdens and You know my situation. You know I can’t make it without You. Comfort my heart, give me strength and help me carry on.” This on a woman’s page that I knew as a young girl. Her daughter used to be my good friend… she died in a car accident on her 21st birthday. One friend from my youth posted, “Pulled out all of the stops to make Easter everything it always has been…..problem this year is that something very important was missing…..SOMEONE very important….first Easter without my mom….missing her terribly today……” My other good friend replied to that one, as she was missing her own mom and dad. My cousin shared a poem written for her mother who died almost a year ago. And one posting struck me because of its simplicity. It said only, “Every storm runs out of rain…….” I don’t know what she’s going through, but it’s something.

God makes us, that’s true. But as we’re being made, we go through struggles. We’re not guaranteed a smooth ride just because we’re His. On the contrary, we’re promised trouble. But whether it’s something huge or something small, what we can be sure of is that God can use it. In some way. It’s the rough patches we endure that enable us to empathize with each other. It’s the hard times that allow us to rejoice in the good. It’s the struggles that refine us. And you know… it’s the rough times I mentioned above that God uses to make us into what He wants us to be. He uses our bad for His good. And the good presents itself as we’re strengthened through the battle. The good is seen when we overcome. And good abounds when we use our own struggles as a way to encourage one another. It’s after a trial that we’re made by God. And it’s either through or after the battle that we can begin to walk in the good works He’s prepared for us. That’s what the apostle Peter did. Jesus knew Peter would stumble, and so He said, “When you return to Me, strengthen your brethren.” And so He did. And so shall I.

I’m somewhat ashamed to call what I go through a struggle. It severely pales in comparison to the very real battles fought every day by those I’ve mentioned above. But nevertheless, I do struggle. Because I ache inside. No matter how hard I try, I cannot escape dark periods. I’m filled with longing, and battle something that I can’t even place a name to. The only thing I know for certain is that I fight. I struggle with the darkness that hovers on the edge of my peace… just about every day. And so this tells me… I’m made for something more. I know that God will use me somehow and in some way. Because I ache today. And there will be some tomorrow that He’ll use it. When the time is right, I will overcome. And it will be right on time, because God does not delay. He’ll deliver me when He’s ready to use me… for His purposes. This is why He made me.

And to the one who is going through a storm just hoping for that rain to stop… take heart. God will use your pain. In some way. You’re made for more, too.