As I was editing messages for my second book, I was double checking the footnotes to ensure that they were accurate, and that the reader would be able to find the reference if desired. Some references are books, but others are online articles.
I read one message which used a quote from a book called Springs in the Valley. It puzzled me because I couldn’t remember a book with this title. To the bookcase I went, and sure enough, I found it. A dear friend had given the devotional book to me in 2021. I looked up the page number and found that the footnote was correct.
Then I noticed my handwriting on a page prior. It said, “Book #2, 2022”. Evidently I was to include some parts of the devotional in my book. The date on this entry was July 25. This is the day that I signed the contract with the publishing company for Book #2. God’s confirmation! It simply gives me tingles inside when this happens!
But what I read startled me!
“You are God’s opportunity in your day. He has waited for ages for a person just like you. If you refuse Him, then God loses His opportunity which He sought through you; and He will never have another, for there will never be another person on the earth just like you.”
(Cowman, L.B., Springs in the Valley, (1939, Zondervan, Michigan), page 236)
This brought a few more tingles as well! I’m sure we have all thought about the gifts that God has given us and continues to give us. I know that I am guilty of not always using some of them because I was too focused on me and not on God.
To read this and realize that God has lost His opportunity if we don’t use what He has given us, I am astounded! Never had that perspective crossed my mind.
I know that there is no other person on this earth like me. I am uniquely made by the Creator. However, I would not want to let God down by not doing what He has planned for me or using the gift(s) He has given me, regardless of how much He is pulling me out of my comfort zone. I had never viewed this as "letting God down".
I do believe that God has many plans for you and me. If we miss one of His opportunities, I also believe that He will give us other opportunities when we repent and ask for forgiveness.
Let me share a personal example. I haven’t played the piano for 20-25 years, but I am planning to play at our church for Christmas services. God has given me another opportunity! Over the past years, I have not wanted to play and even found reasons not to play if someone asked. I never felt good about doing that, but I didn’t want to play. It made me nervous and worried about hitting the wrong notes. I even gave away all of my music!
At our church, we have a faithful woman who has played the piano for 60 years!! She used to have 2 backup players but no more. In November, I felt God nudging me to offer my services, even as rusty as they would be. After all, she needed a break!
Since then, I have not felt nervous or worried about this. Maybe I’ll feel differently at the time of the services, but I know that God has given me another opportunity to use this gift from Him. I am grateful, and I pray it will bless our pianist and church family.
I’m sure you also have examples of God’s grace and mercy. He wants us to use what He has given us for His glory to bring others to Christ. And I pray that you will continue to read this quote and thank God for all He has given to each of us.
May God bless you during this Christmas Season as we all experience the birth of the Savior one more time.
Thanks for stopping by,
Rachel
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