BOLD

I think the majority of my summers are spent cleaning. It'd probably be a safe bet if you asked me what I did on a summer day that I would respond with "I cleaned." I spend most of my time cleaning my room and cleaning my computer. Even though it may just seem like a way to kill time, I always seem to dig up something that makes cleaning worth my while. Today was one of those days. I spent hours cleaning my computers--renaming my "asdf" or "Untitled" word documents, backing up my music and movies, organizing my school files, and clearing my computer of unnecessary things. That's when I stumbled upon this conversation I had with Edward back in the day (middle school I think?)...

Edward: the most valued is loving others like how christ loved me and sacrificing and serving otherrs how christ also did for me and spreading Gods eternal love, sharing the mesage of forgiveness and gift of salvation and everlasting life
Franklin: nice
Edward: aite yeah i guess u know i mean theres alot more to life then just earthly jusnk
Edward: and crap
Franklin: i hope i realize that sometime..
Edward: lol uhhuh

Man, for some reason I still remember this conversation so vividly. I can still remember the way I thought, the silly argument that I had with Edward, and really just how different and WEIRD I was back then. And that wasn't even that long ago. This conversation took place at like 4 am in the morning, yet somehow God had found His way into center of our conversation. Even though I don't think that my "i hope i realize that sometime.." was even wholehearted, even though I had no idea what Edward was talking about, even though I could not possibly comprehend how there could be more in this life other than the riches of this world, I believe God was working that day.

Looking back at this conversation, I am so blown away by how bold and unashamed Edward was to share about God's love in the midst of our worldly conversation. He had no idea how I would take it or what I would think of him, but he did it anyways. To him, all that mattered to him was sharing the love that he had been given. That, my friends, is Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16) Regardless of the impact this conversation had on me becoming a Christian, somehow, someway, I have found myself where I am where I am today.

To me, it's unbelievable the way God places specific people in each of our lives to influence us. I totally believe that there is always a reason. That being said, I want to be used. I want to be the Edward in my friends' lives. Despite my fears, my complacency with being comfortable, and my care for what others think about me, 2 Corinthians 12:9 says that "'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

So here I am--scared, frightened, ashamed, unworthy--asking to be used, knowing that Your grace will cover me. Help me to be BOLD for You.

"But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Galatians 6:14)