No Leftovers

This week has been a rather stressful, discouraging, draining week, primarily with H2O. Supplies had to be shopped for, fliers printed, bags filled, emails written, and H2O event to get ready for...and on top of that, I'm a master at procrastination. And so to top it off, I ended with a weekend of complaining to God. 'Why didn't You give this job to someone else, someone more qualified, and give me something more up my alley, something that comes more naturally for me, and isn't so demanding? I'm tired of investing my time and energy into something that sometimes doesn't even feel like it pays off...'

So this afternoon, I decided to take it easy, take a little nap, and then read some of Francis Chan's book "Crazy Love". My youth group is working through it together and we're on chapter 5 this week, about serving leftovers to a holy God. So I picked up my book and began to read...

"How many of us would really leave our families, our jobs, our education, our friends, our connections, our familiar surroundings, and our homes if Jesus asked us to? If He just showed up and said, 'Follow me'? No explanation. No directions."

At this point, I'm nodding my head. 'Great point, Mr. Chan! I agree, this is what God calls us to." And as I ask God to show me where He wants me to serve Him, I read on...

"You could follow Him straight up a hill to be crucified. Maybe He would lead you to another country, and you would never see your family again. Or perhaps you would stay put, but He would ask you to spend your time helping people who will never love you back and never show gratitude for what you gave up."

"But it's different with me! But it affects my whole family too! But I'm busy with other things...I don't have the time right now to give without getting something for it! But...But if this is what You've called me to, God, then so be it. Crucify my desires, my will, my pride, and use me however You see fit."

I know my struggles are nothing compared to what Paul was probably going through when he wrote this letter to the church in Corinth, but I love the perspective he gives when he writes in 2 Corinthians 4:17, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison..."

In other words, when we enter Christ's throne room, our jaws are gonna reach the floor, our hearts are gonna skip a beat, and we won't just fall to our knees...we'll be on our faces. And at that moment, when we see His face for the first time, do you think we'll be asking, "but what about all those stressful weekends, struggles, pains, and frustrations?" If anything, I have no doubt that my thoughts will be, "Oh, that I had given more!" So Lord, if this is what You've called me to, then so be it. Use me as you see fit, discouraging, stressful, and painful though it may be at times. Drain me to empty if it's for Your kingdom. Don't leave any left over.