We All Have A Story....

I have been really struck by this truth lately...

Growing up, my experiences taught me that you were compared to things constantly.
     - Was my town as nice as that one?
     - Was my school as good as this one?
     - Was my church as exciting as this one?
     - Was my sports team better than that one?
     - Etc, Etc, Etc.

It wasn't a topic that my family, church, town or school lifted up as important, but it was just a general feeling that one gets used to feeling - not only in our NW Iowa bubble, but in our culture in general.

And, now I look at those thoughts (some of which I am still so guilty of having!), and I shake my head at what I claim to know about my faith, about my Savior, about us being the body of Christ.

As Mason and I sat chatting last night about our upcoming trip to Israel, once again, our conversation went far deeper than that.   We got on the topic of 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 - which is about the body of Christ.   You know, the 'the hand can't say to the foot, who can't say to the arm, who can't say to the head, etc.'    And it reminded me about of this truth I have been struck by -

That God has given each of us a story to share, and given each of us a talent, each a level of faith, each a purpose!

And I go back to my days of thinking that everything had to be compared to know its value and worth - and God has slowly, and sometimes not so slowly, been revealing to me that all of these differences are things to be CELEBRATED and to REJOICE in!

The fact that I experience God in a way that is different than you, and you in a way that is different than your neighbor, isn't something for us to compare, or be envious, or think more or less of someone about - it is something to celebrate!

For as long as we have been doing our Sunday night praise and worship evenings, more times than not, this very thought has brought me to tears.   As I see a room full of men and women in the midst of their worship - the truth is that God is speaking to each in only a way that fits their personal, love-filled relationship!   God knows THEM intimately, personally.   And he has created them in such a way that when He sings His song of love over them - they flourish in a way specific to bringing to glory to God's kingdom that I could never bring.

So...back to Israel.   To be honest, I can not fathom the number 7.125 billion, and yet that is how many people reside on this planet.   I sometimes can't even wrap my mind around the number of people in our church, in our community - much less the entire world.   AND YET - God knows each of us personally, intimately!   And so, as we prepare to travel literally half way around the world, we will meet people, created by God to bring HIM glory.   We will meet people who have a part in the body of Christ, who have a desire to see His kingdom come, who love Jesus with all their heart, body, soul, strength and mind.    And in a small (yet major!) way, I will be reminded of how holy, awesome, powerful, majestic, beautiful, sovereign, and amazing our God is!

Sharing life with people who I otherwise will only unite with in spirit and truth, I get the chance to unite physically - to share love, laughs, conversations, maybe tears - to pray with them!

Our God is worthy of our praises!   7.125 billion people.  God knows them all.  Has created them for His purposes and His glory.   No one person more important than the next.   Each purpose just as important to the kingdom!   We are the body!