No Stage Necessary For Using Your Gifts

Earlier this year, a desperate woman reached out for help on social media after discovering her husband’s most recent affair.  Immediately, my heart filled with compassion for her, and I was compelled to contact her.

I did not know this woman, and she did not know me.  But I could not bear for her to live one more second feeling alone and devastated, so I reached out to her.  I introduced myself and told her how sorry I was for what she was going through.  I offered to help her walk through this tragedy if she needed emotional support and told her I would be her “punching bag” if she needed to unload or unleash anything.

She was so grateful that somebody cared enough to contact her and offer their help.  To say she was devastated was an understatement.   She was beyond distraught!  She felt so lost and confused that she did not know what to do or where to go for help.  She reached out on social media in absolute desperation, hoping someone would give her direction and assistance.

This woman and I communicated at length every day for several weeks during her situation’s crucial stages.  I walked through the fire with her, praying, encouraging, and counseling her.  Some days, I spoke the truth from the Word because she could barely think straight.  Other days I enveloped her with loving kindness, reassuring her that she would get through this by God’s grace.  As you can imagine, her pain was tragic, and the betrayal unimaginable.  Her 30-year marriage was imploding, and the multiple affairs and psychological abuse had finally taken their toll.

I still keep in touch with this precious woman to make sure she is okay.  She has her good days and bad days.  But thankfully, Jesus is getting her through them by His strength and grace.

I share this story because sometimes we assume using our gifts requires a platform to stand on or a large audience to share with.  But that is not the case.  Ministering to others with our gifts wrapped in Jesus’ love can occur anywhere at any time with anyone.

People are in need all around us – spiritually, physically, financially, emotionally, relationally...

How will you reach out to be used by Jesus today?