Today I realized something, and I think it’s part of a calling God has placed on my life. I didn’t find this out because some preacher told me, I didn’t find it out because my parents told me it’s what they think God has in store for me. A couple phonecalls from friends today helped me realize something huge.

I’ve always been more or less a spiritually strong person. For about four years now, my relationship with Jesus Christ has become stronger and stronger, and people know where I stand and what I believe. I think God is going to use that spiritual strength that I have to minister one-on-one to friends who are hurting and need help. I absolutely hate seeing any of my friends have bad things happen to them, and I feel like–scratch that, I know I’ve got to reach out and do something to help them, even if it isn’t anything spiritual in the first place. Who said ministry always involved directly talking to someone about Jesus all the time? Actions speak louder than words, and if I can simply be there for my friends, that is showing the love of Jesus. Jesus would take the time to comfort someone who is going through a rough time for whatever reason.

All this also means I need to stop being so self-centered. I feel I’ve made definite improvements lately in that department…I really want to look out for my friends, but I don’t want to do so with any ulterior motives. I just want them to be happy in Christ and go to heaven so we can all have root beer keggers up there someday. Seriously, heaven’s gonna be fun and I don’t want anyone to miss out on it. I was telling a friend of mine I have known since I was a kid tonight that it tears me up when I see friends I have been close to for years, or am getting close to now, turn away from God because of circumstances going on in their lives. I have many friends who have turned away from the Lord…I hold nothing against them. Instead I pray for them, that I can somehow show them God’s love in a way they need to see it.

Steven Curtis Chapman once sang a song called “For Who He Really Is.” My dad loves SCC and used to listen to him all the time, and this was one of his favorite songs. I can remember when we would drive an hour to church and an hour back when we lived in Oregon, and he would play this song and sing the lyrics. Today I read those same lyrics and I see how it applies to so many of my friends, and in a much broader scope, most of the world.

Here are the lyrics:

“Too many hypocrites,” I heard her say,
“I even saw it in the headlines today;
How can I follow God when His own people turn away.”
She said, “Nobody’s perfect but I just want to see

Somebody living what they say they believe;
If they’ve got all this world needs like they say,
I wonder why won’t they give some away.”

[Chorus:]
Can she see God for who He really is,
In what she sees in you and me?
Can she see God for who He really is?
For who He really is is all she really needs to see.

He slips into church and he puts up his guard;
They look so happy but his life’s been so hard.
He keeps his distance so they won’t see the scars;
It’s just a religion that’s all dressed up in white,
And God is love as long as you’re living right.
But does he know that Jesus also has scars,
And His love can reach Him no matter how far.

[Chorus]
Can he see God….

The skeptics are watching to see who will fall,
While those disillusioned search for the Truth in it all;
Maybe today we’ll cross their paths unaware,
And they’ll stop and look at us. What will be there?

What a powerful song. I listened to it tonight and realized more than ever, that people are watching whatever example I put forth as a Christian, all the time. So many people are put off by religion, rules, and accepted ways of doing things, that they really don’t know what to think when someone comes to them and is truly genuine with them and shows that they care and Jesus truly does love them. That’s where we as Christians have to get in touch with God and ask Him to show the way, because as the Word says, no one will come to Christ unless the Holy Spirit draws them.

And tonight I pray for a greater move of that same Spirit in my life.