Words have power. Written words provide proof. You can read them, and reread them whenever you want. They can speak life to someone who needs encouragement. They can speak death to someone who is being deceived. The choice lies within you. How is it that you want people to remember you? Encourager...that is the gift that God has laid on my heart. To use my written, spoken, and/or sung words to lift people up. To be one link in their road to healing, restoration, joy. I have been without those things, and I claim them to be mine again. If you want me to seek God on a prayer for a specific situation...that is why I am here. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to pray God's Word of Life over you.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Feeling unnoticed?

Yeah sometimes I feel that way too. Recently, infact. Like I have things to say...but can't be heard. I have good news. "By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10 NKJV)

You are exactly who God created you to be. You may need some polish here and there....but you are His creation. He doesn't mess up. He doesn't make mistakes. Your soft-spoken voice...or loud mouth...are His doing. You have to control them...but He made you, how He made you, for His purpose. Your quick wit...or slow though-out words...are His placement. Your ability to sing, play music, dance, write, play sports, or be big goofball...are all things that can and will be used for God if allowed. By You!

Don't be ashamed of who and how you are. Use your whole self for God's purpose...because you are His design. He formed you in your mother's womb. On purpose, for a purpose. Don't doubt that you can reach out to someone who needs God's touch...just by being you. Let me tell you a quick story....

It was August 2nd of 1997. His name was Walter Gonzalez and he was homeless. I was with a group from different churches around the U.S. We were in Battery Park in New York City. A friend of mine was asked by a guy in our group to go pray and witness to Walter. She stood still. Paralyzed, unable to move for reasons she could not explain. I know why. It was because God wanted me to meet Walter and he changed my life.

We walked up and started to speak to Walter as he was on 'his bench'. Which doubled as 'his bed'. Talk about a heart wrenching reality! Brian, the guy I was with, asked me to give my testimony of how I became saved. I started by talking about a camp that I went to when I was 8. Walter listened with excitement. I know he probably doesn't have many people that stop and talk to him...but there was a sparkle in his eye that made me believe I had something he desperately wanted. He told me that some day he would come and visit that camp in Edinboro, PA. I gotta say...I didn't believe him, but it still makes me cry. He had accepted us so completely, and listened so intently...I just lost it. I had tears running down my cheeks. (That is why you always take a partner...if you are a blubberer like me. Haha!) Brian took over. When he got to the point of asking if Walter wanted to accept Christ into his heart...Walter looked at me. Still crying...never made it through the second line of my well-thought, carefully planned testimony. He said that he would like to accept Christ, because he could see my compassion through my tears. Isn’t that kind of a funny realization? My best. My plans. My hard work on the word selection of my life testimony…are no match for the strategy of God. Tears…he used tears! No words were necessary.
When you think you are unusable because you are quiet. Or loud. Or emotional. Or not...emotional (I just don't get people like that. Haha!) Those are lies from the deceiver. Throw them back in his face...and start talking. There are people out there that need quiet and reserved. There are people out there that need an in-your-face divine appointment. When you believe satan's lies guess who misses out on a miracle. YOU! You don't get to see lives changed by your simple obedience. God can find someone else to reach the person He intended for you to speak to. But, He wants to use you, for you. So that you will see His power. So that you will trust His purpose. Start talkin!!

3 comments:

  1. Vanesa,
    Last week at church I was listening to the pastor preach about touching someone's life. I instantly thought of Walter (and I meant to mention this then but forgot). What an experience that trip was and what a reality check for my life now! I need to remember that even if I feel unnoticed God always notices! HOW I want Him to see the good that I am doing! Your writing blessed me today! Thank you and as always you (and now your blog) are in my prayers!

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  2. Rachel and Kyra...I know this may seems a bit much...but I am SOOO grateful to you for your support. Really!!
    This blog is an answer to prayer for me. I was in a place where I was being silenced by satan...and I didn't even realize it was him. Scary! But I am so on to him..and I am getting stronger and more bold every day.
    Thank you for your prayers and for taking the time to let me know you are thinking of me. I love and miss you both!!!!

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