Choice 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.
Can you believe it? We are actually on our last week of this study. It has been an amazing journey with all of you. As we close up this study, we are going to talk about recycling our pain—sharing the testimony God has given us and our giving to others, so they may know the love and grace we have been given. I don’t know about you, but I use to think as Moses did, “Who am I?” that He should use me? But God doesn’t use the strong, or the wise, or the mighty. “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty, and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are (1 Corinthians 1:27, 28).
God wants to use those very things you want to leave behind, pack away, or just simply not talk about to help others. When I first completed this study, 3 years ago, one of the sentences that stuck out to me was “God never wastes a hurt.” He wants to use all the pain and struggles we have gone through to show others His power. It is during that time when we become weak that His strength shines. “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength“ (Isaiah 40:29).
As you continue this journey beyond this week, and allow God to be first in your life, you will see that everything we have is a gift from God. Our recovery and healing are built upon the strong foundation of our faith in Christ. As we share what He has done in our lives, others will see Him living through us. In Matthew chapter 5, just after the Beatitudes are delivered from Jesus during His sermon on the Mount, He tells us we are ‘…the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden’ (verse 14). He then says,”Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify Your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:15, 16). He wants us to place His light in us on that lampstand to shine before others.
As He is the Potter and has made us His vessels, think about vessels and light. As we become broken vessels and He puts us back together, visualize a pot that has been broken and put back together—cracks here and there. Now place it next to an unbroken vessel. Which one, when a light is placed inside, would shine the most? The broken and healed vessel, as the light will shine through the every crack. God has healed and put us back together with His power, placed His light inside us to shine so others can see and all glory can be given to Him.
I have had the privilege of giving my testimony many times in the past year. I love to tell people what God has done in my life. God has given me the love and grace to be out of the gay lifestyle for three and a half years now. That is just the frame of His testimony in me. The masterpiece He has created within that frame has been given freedom from abusive relationships, manipulation of everyone around me, guilt, shame, anger, doubt, setting expectations beyond reach, dishonesty, and other struggles. He has taken all my sin, dipped it in red, and made me white as snow. My life has gone from chaos to peace, from despair to hope, from guilt and shame to honor, and from sin to salvation. I am also happy to say He has taken me from strength and independence to weakness. For in my weakness, He is made strong.
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Let’s Pray:
Most gracious and heavenly Father, we are so in awe of all You have done for us. Of the grace, mercy, and love You have unconditionally given each one of us. Thank You for Your healing from all things we have struggled with in our own might. Lord, as we continue to seek You, show us how to be that light that will not be hidden, shine through us so others will see all Your glory. Help us to spread Your message of hope and freedom. Let our lives be that living testimony for You. Lord, bless each person who has joined this study with Your healing power. Restore within their lives anything that has been damaged or destroyed. Your word says that You will replace what the locusts have eaten. Father, we stand on Your word in agreement. We love You, Lord, and give all the honor and glory to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
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About Laurie Ellis
echoing your prayer, laurie! the apostle Paul wrote that the Lord showed him, “My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.”
and so Paul (as us!) was encouraged: “therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! so for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength)” (2 corinthians 12:9, 10). <3
Laurie. What a journey. I’m honored to have been here with you. May God continue to bless you and this ministry!