Extravagant

Extravagance doesn’t get us to Heaven.

For years I told myself that if I wanted to dedicate my whole life to Jesus, I would have to go above and beyond. I would have to go to different countries and tell the needy, sick, abandoned, and poor about Jesus. I would have to do something extravagant. What I didn’t realize is that God uses us in the littlest ways and in the most unthought of places. Right where we are. Paul says to the Church in Corinth, “Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you.” (1 Corinthians 7:17) God calls us to be Christians right where we are. Does He open doors? Definitely. But when we feel that doors aren’t being opened, or that we are “stuck”, we must remember who conducts and controls our lives. His purpose and plan is far beyond our understanding. Everyone around me has plans for their future. They talk about their dreams and future career and look at me with anticipation and ask the inevitable, “what’s your plan for next year?” For the longest time that question left me “stuck”. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I just wanted God to choose for me. To make it clear to me exactly where he wanted me to be. I didn’t get some writing on the wall like I had hoped. But I did get a hard blow to the chest. God reminded me of who he is. He reminded me that I didn’t need to know His plan for my life, I just needed to be obedient. Trusting that he has a plan and will reveal it to me in HIS timing has been difficult. I find myself trying to take matters into my own hands, brushing off his voice as he whispers “I’ve got this, trust me.” I just needed to realize that he can use me wherever I am and in whatever situation I’m in. Jesus used tax collectors, fisherman, zealots and thieves. He is using each one of us too. We don’t have to be pastors, missionaries, or spiritual leaders to many; we just have to be us, and put to use the strengths we have been given to further His growing Kingdom.

The past few months have been constant prayer, asking God to just show me or tell me in some way what I should do after high school. I want to get it right the first time. I want to be placed where I know he will use me the most. Up until Saturday I didn’t have a clear answer. All I felt was waves of peace and assurance as I dug deeper into His word and spent time in prayer with Him, he never ceased to remind me that he’s got me and I just need to recognize his purpose for each one of us. To love him, love others, and become more like him. All of which we can do right where we are. When I came to that realization, that I didn’t have to do something extravagant to fulfill God’s purpose and will for me, he placed opportunities in my path. We are called to reflect Jesus, to love our enemies and step outside our comfort zones. When the opportunity to serve with an organization that reaches out and invests in the education and well being of girls at risk of trafficking arose, I decided to take the Leap. The likelihood of me getting accepted seemed slim. Bob Goff says that “when God seems silent, it’s only because He knows we’ve got it right and will make the right decision.” He knows I desire Him above all else, and he knows that because of that desire, I will make decisions based on what he wants and desires. I was accepted to serve with Hosea’s Heart this past week, and I am still in awe of how God has prepared me for His plan for my life. No more taking over the wheel. He knows exactly where I will be used and when, it just took faith and trust that His plan is better than mine.

Jesus showed extravagant love. But he didn’t go about it extravagantly. It was simple. He just loved people where they were. Don’t sit around waiting for God’s plan. He’s already given it to you. Go love people; go love the sick, poor, imprisoned, and hungry. Maybe that is right here in Oshkosh, or across the world, but Jesus showed extravagant love in humble ways, he didn’t have to go far to send his message of love and hope; no, a message as hope-filled as His spread like wildfire.