As you may or may not know, God has called me into the passion and desire of His heart and venture to full-time youth ministry as a missionary, eventually in Europe. Over the past 18+ months in preparation, many times I have had chances to analyze my own life and see the lives of people on God's mission for them right in our own backyard. It's incredible how many selfless people we have in our local communities when we take that step back an see it from His viewpoint. I personally get sidetracked or even narrow-focused to look at the places overseas where things are unfathomable and that's where missionaries normally are sent. Don't get me wrong, these ARE great places and there are amazing people who surrender their personal comforts, lives, everything for God's greater purpose to love on those people like Christ did for people long ago.
Specifically, God places amazing people in our lives and around us for reasons we can't fathom during those moments. Maybe someone chose to smile at me while walking my dog or allowed me to cross the street instead of rushing into traffic. Perhaps someone spoke some amazing God-filled truth into my life just at the right moment, only to where I noticed it weeks, maybe months later.
This leads me into my original thought. Skillet is one of my favorite Christian-metal bands ever. If you do not know me, I'm a rocker to the core. Love mosh pits and love to rock out. Skillet is one of those types of bands but an incredible message at the same time. I was preparing a lesson for our youth at Ft. Leavenworth one week and got the chance to use one of their songs and it resonated well with me and pegged me to really think about true 'looking for angels' here in our community. If you haven't heard their song, check it out sometime, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AxsxWzb07M.
I have had the amazing pleasure to work with one of the most selfless people I've ever met. Nearly ten years after meeting her and getting to spend time with her multiple times in highs and lows, this person is truly one of God's angels in Leavenworth County, Kansas. She is selfless with her time, talents and possessions, more than I can ever imagine. She showed me how to live life in the right way to honor God's call on my life and to lead a life that honors Him. She even had hard truth from God to speak to me at times, even when I didn't want to hear it. She impacted my life - more than I ever imagined. She became a surrogate mother to me in this home I had away from my own home back in Nebraska. To that, I am ever so thankful.
So I have to ask you, do you think you can have an impact where you are? Small things, no matter how small you think they may be, do matter. Sometimes we are the only Jesus Christ that people will ever see. What will you do differently? Is there someone now in your life who has impacted you as I have been in my own life? Don't wait to thank them or tell them what they have done for you. Do it now. Let them know part of God's Kingdom has shone upon your life through their impacts in your life.
May God continue to open doors in your life and others around you so that you can fully embrace what He is calling you toward. It won't be easy, happy or perfect - but He will lead you upon the way.
