"Put your wants- your needs- in the hands of another."
Last semester of college rendered my bathroom mirror full of sticky notes- reminders to my self of who I am called to be in Christ and who I desire to be as His creation. Whether these post-its come from church sermons, book snippets, or thoughts that pop into my head, the ideas feel all the more solidified when they're put into writing.
With this being said, there was one message in particular that came to mind amidst a mentally rough season lately. During a season of deficiency, of want, of yearning for God's hand and help, this was reiterated to me: "Take the very thing you are lacking and give it to others."
Ahh, this is very often the opposite of what our carnal nature is inclined to do amidst trials. It is in the rough of the battle that we naturally become solution-minded and want a quick fix for our pain and suffering. However, this is not always the way that things are intended to play out. In fact, I dare to say that this is usually not the way that things are intended to play out. After all, if we are truly waiting on God's timing and truly willing to become who He has created us to be, then we must also understand that quick fixes are usually not a means of shaping character.
I have come to learn that it is through my specific struggles that I am brought low, humbled to my knees, able to meet others where they're at and on the level they're on, and sympathize with their pain. I am made more human through brokenness, and sometimes it is in the longing for God and the "separation" from His presence that we are brought closer to Him and to His creations. We become servants if we selflessly take the focus off of ourselves when everything in us screams to be cured, screams to be fixed, screams for a Savior. It is in moments like these where we can make the choice to let go and trust Him, and demonstrate sacrificial love. Love that loves even when it feels like its water source is nearly dried up. Love that scoops up every last droplet of water from the bottom of the well and gives it to another. Someway, somehow.. when we use this type of love, there is always another droplet left at the bottom. Another droplet to spare. Unconditional love never runs out, and when we give others our very cravings, we do three things: We bless them from a deep-rooted, genuine level of understanding and rawness, we bless ourselves, and we serve the Lord faithfully. Perhaps even our cure is found through the servant's heart that we demonstrate for our fellow creation. Perhaps that is part of the purpose for the pain. Pray, trust, and serve through it all.
"Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"- Matthew 22: 37-39
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