Posted by: Anna Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend staff training for TeenPact. There's definitely multiple lessons I could draw from the experiences to post about, and hopefully I will get to more of them in the future. Today, I want to share the one that probably stuck out to me the most. Ever heard of the White Rose Society? It was a group of students that opposed the Nazi Regime despite the consequences. A certain brother and sister that were part of the society had this to say about why whey were willing to die for the cause: "We are Christian, and we are German, therefore we are responsible for Germany." Think about that a moment. These courageous young people believed that because they were Christian, and because they lived in Germany, they had a responsibility for their country. Why is that? I think I've discussed in a past post how our life circumstances are not random. How God has placed each and every one of us where we are, with the people we're with and the problems we have and the strengths and weaknesses we possess, for a specific reason. I firmly believe that there is a reason I have the family I do, the friends I do, the acquaintances I do. I firmly believe there is a reason I have the personality I do, the interests I do, the issues I do, and the strengths that I do. And I believe just as firmly that the same can be said about everyone. With that in mind, consider that quote again. Sophie, the woman that said that, must have held the conviction that God had put her and her brother in Germany for a reason, making them responsible for Germany. At this point you've probably figured where I'm going with this. That each of us, as Christians and Americans, should have the mindset of: I am Christian, and I am American, therefore I am responsible for America. Yes, I do think we should have that mindset. But I'd like to take it several steps further. I am Christian, and I am ____________, therefore I am responsible for ______________. Fill in the blanks. What is it? What are you, and what does that make you responsible for as a Christian? There's lots of possibilities. I'll use one of mine for an example. As I said earlier, I'm going to be staffing for TeenPact in just a couple weeks. Since I was always--to some extent or another--the shy, quiet girl in the class when I was a student, I approached staffing thinking "Hey, maybe I can reach out to the other shy, quiet girls in the class, the way other staffers reached out to me." And then I heard this quote. It fits perfectly. I am a Christian, and I am an introvert, therefore I am responsible for introverts. Maybe it sounds silly. Because no, I'm not saying that simply because I'm one of millions of introverts, I'm responsible for the well-being or salvation or education of all of them. No. What I'm saying is this: God made me with a very introverted personality. Therefore, I should use that as an asset in helping other introverts. I should use it as a launch pad to minister to others. I think we can all agree that it's easiest to befriend, serve, or understand someone that we have something in common with. It is far easier for me to understand a fellow introvert than an extrovert. That's why I should consider the possibility that God has plans for me in that area. Not to say that I can't help out an extrovert or vice versa. All I mean by this is that we should be aware of what experiences, skills, or even weaknesses God has given us that we can use to help others. Think about it. Let's say you've lost a loved one at some point in your life. One day a friend of yours loses a close family member. Wouldn't you agree that you will be better equipped to comfort and aid them then someone who has no idea what that's like? Or, let's say you live in such-and-such state where such-and-such crisis has recently occurred. Who is more suited to make a difference there: you, or someone thousands of miles away that doesn't even know it happened? To sum it all up, God puts us through certain things or gives us certain traits for a reason. I have recently discovered what it's like to be 'in charge' of a household for awhile while my mom was recovering from a surgery. Because of that experience, I could now sympathize with and encourage someone else who is going through the same thing; whereas before I probably wouldn't have understood why it was such a big deal. That's why I think "simple" things like where you live, what types of things you're good at, what you've been through. . . all of those things are ways God can work through you. So what did you put in the blanks? Where should you be looking for ways to serve others and glorify God? What are you, as a Christian, responsible for? "Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him." - 1 Corinthians 7:17
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Posted by: Anna As I've mentioned before, I've been attending TeenPact programs for three years now. Which kind of meant that I was either at the point of being done with state classes and only doing alumni events, or of trying for staff. I decided on the latter. It wasn't really an easy decision. The fact is, I'm extremely introverted and, yes, shy. Staffers are expected to be extremely extroverted and outgoing. So naturally, it was an intimidating prospect. Even just the phone interview was enough to make me hesitate to apply. But, I felt like God wanted me to take the step and apply, and He would then decide whether or not I'd get it. He decided I would. Now, staff training is in two weeks. And the actual class is in just over a month. Naturally, I'm starting to get a little stressed about it. . . so this morning, before I started reading my Bible, I prayed about it. Then I opened to Jeremiah since that's where I've been reading lately, and read chapter 17. Here's what it said. "Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. . . . Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is in the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." (17:5-8) This passage really struck home because when I thought about it, it rather accurately describes the type of person a staffer is supposed to be. They're supposed to be conspicuously passionate about their faith. They're supposed to be ready to act calmly and confidently when schedules change or plans fall apart (does not fear the heat or drought), remaining an example of humility, patience, kindness, and courage (leaves remain green), and they're supposed to make a powerful impact on the lives of the students (does not cease to bear fruit). So how do they do this? By trusting in God. I know it's "cliche" and a concept we've all heard before, but as I've said in other posts, reminders never hurt. I know the reminder didn't hurt me this morning, when I realized that: it's not me. It's God. I'm not going to make an impact on the lives of the students. God will do that, and will hopefully use me in the process. That's where the first part of the verse comes in. I can't trust in staff training, in reading the manual, in "mentally preparing myself", in my own abilities, or anything like that. Those all fall under the "man" and "flesh" categories. And while some of them, like reading the manual and staff training, are definitely things I should do and will help, they're just tools. They're guidelines. God is the only One who can truly equip me for His purposes in this or any area. He is the One who will supply me with just the right word of encouragement, prayer, understanding, or act to work in the heart of a student. If I go into the state class with the mindset of "I need to set an example, I need to remain mature and kind and confident no matter what, I need to demonstrate servant-leadership, I need to impact these students", then I will probably fail. I would be trusting in man and making flesh my strength. I'm not saying I don't play a role. I still have the responsibility to strive for setting an example and demonstrating Christian values. I have to be willing for God to use me. But I also have to realize that any success I have comes from Him, not me. Any impact I make is Him using me, not me using Him. Because in the end, I can't make a true, lasting impression on someone by myself. Only God can do that. And this doesn't just apply to staffing. It's fair to say that each of us will meet about 80,000 people in our lifetime. That's three new people each day that we interact with on average. In other words, you will probably have 80,000 opportunities to influence someone. Or, God has 80,000 opportunities to use you to influence someone for His glory and their salvation. That's a big deal, when you think about it. Which is why it's important that we make the most of it, and don't waste our time trying to be the force that makes the change, but instead be willing to let God do what He knows is best through and with us. To adopt the mindset of not me, but Him. "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure." -Philippians 2:13 |
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