It was one of the last places I thought I would become emotional. Watching a tear-jerker movie…hearing something in church that pierces my heart…and even sometimes when a grandchild says or does something that touches me. Those are all times when I might become emotional…but in the grocery store? Yep…that’s what happened to me last week.
Two days prior to my “poignant” trip, I had the opportunity to help package meals for those who are suffering in Ukraine. Many of these people have lost everything…their home…their job…their community…and even their loved ones. They have been left with very little and just finding food to eat has become their most crucial task, so for some, these packaged meals could easily be the difference between starving and surviving.
So, as I came around the corner in the grocery store and looked down the well-stocked aisle…tears flooded my eyes. All I could think of was…Why me? Why was I blessed to be born in a country where there is still plenty of food choices on our shelves? Why do I have adequate money to purchase pretty much what I want as I peruse each section of the store? Yes, my husband and I have worked hard through the years to get where we are…but why were we born into homes where we were loved and taken care of and shown how to work and be independent? Why me?
Why am I blessed to live in a country where I can attend church and worship my Jesus? Why don’t I have to go “underground” to read my Bible and spend time with my brothers and sisters in Christ? Why me?
Why have I been blessed with a loving husband…amazing children and the most adorable grandchildren? Why do I still have those family members to hug…while other families across our country are planning funerals for their loved ones due to crazed individuals taking their lives by gunning them down? Why me?
As we commemorate Memorial Day today…why have others been willing to give their life in service to their country…so I can enjoy freedom? Why me?
Why me? I didn’t have an answer to that question and as I walked through the store that day; I felt overwhelmed with thankfulness for the many ways I have been blessed. And I haven’t been able to shake that feeling ever since.
What I do know is to those who have been given much…much is expected in return. Luke 12:48 says, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” You see, it’s so easy to just bask in the blessings, but then neglect to do what we are called to do to make a difference where we have been placed.
A friend contacted me and said that God was asking her to do something that was WAY out of her comfort zone. She knew she was to be obedient…but she wanted me to pray that she would hear Him correctly and would have the courage to do what He was asking of her.
God was asking her to take a day and drive all around the perimeter of Huntington County…stop at various locations…and pray for God to work in a mighty way within the people in our county. She said He was telling her that there would be a lot of work that would go into preparing for this day, including prayer, study and fasting.
God began to download into her mind His plan for this day and when He was done…she ended up with 11 pages of things she was supposed to pray for which included scriptures and songs which would need to be read and listened to. God laid on her heart to ask another woman to join her for this day of prayer and that day was May 21st.
They drove around our entire county and prayed and asked for things such as:
To bless and speak blessing over our County.
To pray for healing over our County. Healing of the land and the hearts of the people. For their faith to be raised up to believe in the healing power of Jesus.
To call for repentance over our County. For hearts to be humbled.
To speak healing, protection, forgiveness and desire for righteousness over our County.
To pray for all the Pastors, Church Leaders, Church bodies, and Ministries in our County.
There were 13 different things they prayed for…for our county.
My friend didn’t wait for a revival service to come to town…or for a Pastor to take the lead…she stepped out and was obedient to her Jesus…because she loved Him that much. She took the verse I shared seriously…knowing that to whom much is given…much is required.
Friends, we have a story to tell the nations…and that begins right here in my county and in yours…and it starts with you and me. You see, our love for Jesus is proven genuine through our obedience to Him.
Why me? I don’t know why. But my prayer is that I will be willing to do whatever He asks me to do…because I have been given much.
