Water & Fire

Last night and this morning, I was thinking about possible impacts of praying "God, use me to change lives and win souls." As Christians, we sometimes receive this glorified sense of haughty accomplishment if we repeat those words, it seems. We get "all fuzzy inside" because we think we're promising this great thing to God when really, a lot of times we just think what WE do is getting us closer to Him or what WE say will make us more dedicated Christians.

In all honesty, for some reason when I thought those words last night, I got a little scared -overwhelmed. Again, this morning, reading through Isaiah, I thought again about the ramifications of truly asking God to use me any way He thought best. All the examples ran through my head...Bethany Hamilton, slain missionaries, Christians in freak accidents after praying that prayer, you name it ("funny" how the devil likes to do that to us!). My next words to God were, "I don't think I can honestly pray that -I'm too scared! I'd love it if all those things didn't happen to me! I don't want to get tortured, I don't want to face the temptation of denying Your name, I don't want to get into a car accident..."

At that point, I was starting to remember how He strengthened me and truly prepared me in the past (see last post). Surely He would do the same if any of these above mentioned things were to happen to me! Then, I read Isaiah 43:1-7, because it was next in my Bible reading...It blew me away. I know that this passage is primarily geared to Israel, God's chosen people; but I believe it is also applicable to Christians like me, a "redeemed Gentile."

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior...Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee...Fear not, for I am with thee...Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Case closed.