It's really ironic to read my last post in light of our present circumstances. I am truly a living example that when God teaches you a lesson in his Word, we are tested on it in the World.
We have been chosen
In the past 8 weeks we have went from being a family of 5 to a family of 7. We have a 5 year old little boy we are trying to adopt from Foster care and an 18 year old Senior football player from my husband's team who has lost both of his parents who are now a part of Team Roberts. We call them the Robert's twins since they came to us at about the same time. Is it crazy?...yep! Is it loud?...of course! Do I sometimes sit on my bathroom floor with a locked door?...Maybe. Is it overwhelming?...sometimes.
An Overwhelming life calls for an overwhelming God
I have been studying the book of Nehemiah and the lessons keep coming...
"'Things are not going well for those who returned to the providence of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire."' When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
'Oh Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps his covenant
of unfailing love with those who love him and obey his commands, listen to my
prayer! Look down and see me praying at night and day for your people Israel.
I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have
sinned! We have sinned terribly by not obeying your commands, decrees, and
regulations that you gave us through your servant Moses......vs. 10 the people
you rescued by your great power and strong hand are your servants. O Lord, please
hear my prayer! Listen to the prayers of those of us who delight in honoring you.
Please grant me success today.....'
In those days I was the king's cup-bearer." Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah was overwhelmed with the destruction that had happened to the city of God's people...He was blessed with a burden. Allowing your heart to break for the things that break the heart of God is never pleasant, but it is powerful. Chris and I were witnessing the destruction of something else that belonged to God...the families of these two boys. We prayed. We cried. We broke. But the overwhelming feeling of doing something wasn't nearly as bad as the overwhelming feeling of NOT.
But What?
'God,
We are only a football coach and FCA Staff...."Yes, and Nehemiah was just a cup holder."
How can we fulfill what they have lost?..."You can't. I can"
Do we have the space, the resources, the energy, the time..."You have what they need: A family"
Are you choosing us for the rebuilding of these kids' walls?..."If you are willing, I will be working"'
In just 52 days, a cup holder named Nehemiah and a group of helpers, successfully completed the task God had placed on his heart to do. It wasn't easy. People tried to stop them, discourage them, and mock them, but they weren't deterred, they were determined. Each person simply just built the part of the wall that was in front of their house. And so can we...
We don't have to go to Africa to change the world, just build up what's right outside (or inside) yours. Being a world changer is not easy, but it is worth it. You can change the world by changing your corner of it.
Maybe you show love to someone that just seems unloveable...you've changed the world.
Maybe you serve someone who is not like you....you've changed the world.
Maybe you tell someone that Jesus loves them....you've changed the world.
Maybe you open your home to a foster child...you've changed the world
Maybe you start a ministry that helps abused children...you've changed the world
Just know when God calls you 3 things will happen
1) It will require Obedience from YOU(Nehemiah 1)
2) Expect Opposition from the WORLD (Nehemiah 4 and 6)
3) Know the Outcome will always be because of GOD ("When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God." Nehemiah 6:16)
The world saw Nehemiah as a simple cup holder. He saw himself as wall builder. God saw him as a world changer.
God sees you...do you hear him?
