If you are just joining us, we are beginning the section God-Given Destiny in the book Graffiti: scribbles from different sides of the street. This summer a group of crazy people decided to take a challenge and participate in Graffiti Summer. Download the FREE Graffiti Study and Do guide and jump right in.
I am in awe!
In awe of God and my own journey, but more importantly in awe of what God is doing in this community — in you as you take up the challenges laid out before you.
But I also stand amazed at Moses.
Do you know much about him?
I have a few favorite characters in the Bible and I have to admit Moses is one.
God-Given Destiny
Where did you grow up? Did you feel like you fit in? Was it a comfortable place or one with friction?
Reading in Exodus 2 we quickly realize that Moses grew up living in the conflict of two totally different worlds. He not only lived in two different cultures, but he lived in the tension of this reality. One part of his life was free esteeming wealth and education, where the other part of his life (his family) knew too well hardships and slavery.
The tension group within Moses until he snapped.
I’m thinking we can all relate to that. The tension that collides within us brings anger and bitterness to the forefront and SNAP! It can happen in a flash.
It’s in that place you begin asking those questions:
Why did this happen?
What does this mean?
Where do I go from here?
As I describe in the podcast, that was my life when the scam-artist came in. Nothing made sense!
But what God revealed was that I now had the gift of perspective.
I had seen another side of the street and could feel the burdens of those who lived in that kind of tension daily. Moses had the gift of perspective too. He probably didn’t want it, just like I didn’t want it, but it was what God used in our lives to call us to serve.
I wanted to run. Moses did run. But instead of running, let’s take a moment to embrace where we are. We are standing on holy ground and I feel God is saying,
“Take off your sandals for this is holy ground. I have seen the misery of my people and now you have too. I need YOU to lead them to rescue.”
Many times the people we want to run from are the very people God wants us to serve. [tweet that]
God doesn’t waste the collisions in our life. He instead uses those messy moments and our new gift of perspective to grab our hearts and scribble new graffiti that says, “love and serve these people.”
Do you have the gift of perspective?
Oh do tell.
It’s time for us to embrace our journey and learn to serve through the messiness. Our DO assignment for the week challenges us to do just that — SERVE another. I hope you’ll take up the challenge. I guarantee you will be the one blessed.
Be sure to tweet the tweetables in the Study and Do. Use #GraffitiSummer to keep up with the conversation on twitter or join us on the Graffiti Facebook page.
NEXT UP: Broken for Others
I have to admit Alene I read this again tonight and the place I feel I don’t fit in the most is with my family (parents and siblings). Many times when we are together all I want to do is run. I wonder after looking at your “tweet that” quote, could they be who God most wants me to serve? I think I would find it easier to cross the street. Oh how this is challenging me tonight. How I feel with my family is probably a whole post in itself, but one that I’m not quite sure I could write.
They could be girl or at least I’m sure He wants you to shine your light there. Actually He wants us to serve and shine our lights everywhere we go to everyone we’re with. Thanks for the email. You bless me.
I love the way you challenge us, and how you make me THINK. I loved this week’s content. And YOU :)
You are making me think too – love it! Your vlogs are the greatest. I always can’t wait to hear your lesson and your voice. Makes we think we are having coffee together just chatting — can’t wait to do that.