Having completed the project for my mother-in-law successfully, and, making myself available to the other opportunities around me during that time(leading music in worship on Sundays for a month at the local church in Rogers City, engaging in rich conversations with many people), I found myself in two interesting, but similar positions as I left one place and returned back home. You see, as I left my mother-in-law's and Rogers City, she, and many of the people there told me that I would be sincerely missed, and while returning home, many friends spoke to me of deeply missing me for the month I was absent. Could I have, in both places, been building relationships in such a way that my presence with and absence from them for only a month, forged and had forged deep and considerable magnitudes of care into their lives, while for those at home, regularly rose within them a hole that I usually filled for them? As I walked through my days there and here, was I leaving God's fingerprints upon the lives of those I lived with and encountered? Is that why my presence will be and was, missed? How is it that my life could have such an impact in such a short time? Why is it that my presence was so greatly missed at home?
As I press towards my earthly demise,the permanent absence from this planet, I have come to realize that I have a choice, I can choose to leave my fingerprints upon the planet as I touch things and people around me, or leave His, you know, God's fingerprints upon their lives. I have found that if I choose to leave mine, the result is one of lackluster results and nondescript or minuscule accomplishments. However, if I manage to let God leave His fingerprints upon those I encounter, something much larger, more significant results from our presence (Jesus' and mine together). There is a key to making a difference and it isn't dependent upon money or any other gift into or out to others. It isn't based upon a pure heart of benevolence and good doing. It is dependent upon His work, His leading, His words, and in fact, His presence, pressing onto the lives of others. Sure, there are things for me to do, like building a car ramp up to the living level of my mother-in-law's home so she can move in and out of her home easily with her walker, or the daily stuff that needs accomplishing at home, but even these kinds of things must be moved ahead, in faith, led by Jesus. It is just that simple.
As I returned, a host of my friends told me that they rejoiced at my return for many reasons and that I was really missed. While it would be easy for me to become big headed and prideful about it all, I have come to realize that what they were saying and truly missed was the spirit of God that moves through me as I walk and do in obedience to Him. They missed 'our presence'. Not that it gets accomplished with high frequency, but it seems to be happening more and more as I give my life over to His leading more and more. Of course my wife missed me, as I did her, for she is a part of God's presence in my life and her absence left a huge God/Carrie size hole in my life! Sure, talking on the phone and via emails helped cross the time, but nothing takes the place of presence. I found myself missing them, the wonderful inputters and infusers of God's grace into my days apart from them, all the while in the presence of others pressing into me while away in Michigan.
You see, as we mature in Christ, there should be this God sized revelation that it isn't only our own doings that forge meaningful memories and life events into others, but our doings that are joined with God's doings, His leadings, His forging that accomplish powerful and eternally meaningful events into the lives of those around us. I have started asking the question of God, why shouldn't I have the same kind of impact as Paul or any of the disciples in the Bible? You see, they are still impacting our lives today! The widow and her minuscule offering speaks volumes of loving God (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4). Seemingly insignificant life events, transformed by the understanding and obedience of following our leader, knowing His heart.
Could it be that our nation stands as heathen, because we have offered so little as His followers? Have we, in doing what we think is God's will, offered to them tainted goodness? Do people who look at Christians really see a genuine heart that leaves a God sized impression upon their lives, or are we really no different that anybody else?
My desire is to be like the widow who gave everything she had to God monetarily, because she understood where it all came from and that more would be coming. Many gave more in the tills of offering that day, but they were not lauded. She not only gave the tenth, not only gave of her first fruits, she gave it all and Jesus recognized her faith! I desire my moments of fame to be monuments of faith, in such a way, that for eternity, God's glory will be recognizable and His presence, forged within me, will be missed when away, and appreciated when present. The fingerprints of faith, given me by God, once again, for eternity, will remain indelible.
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