Have you ever been through one of those situations where you weren't sure exactly why you were put there, except to fill a space? That was me last night at AWANA. This is not to say that I didn't have anything to do. I had my usual handbook time with the kids, listening to them pass off their Bible verses, and I even got called forward to assist Pastor Jeff in an illustration by having my hands duct-taped together with those of two other clubbers (thanks for the tape burn, Pastor). Beyond that, however, there wasn't much for me to do.
It was auction night, a chance for our clubbers to spend all the AWANA bucks they had received for various accomplishments throughout the school year. Since the auction was held during what is usually game time, I had no games to oversee. I was just...there, doing what I had volunteered to do. This is not a bad thing, because I have already learned that life is not about me. Life is about the fulfillment of God's plan for all of us. I don't even pretend to understand the details of said plan; I just go where I am sent and do what needs to be done.
As it turns out, sometimes being in the proverbial background is a good thing. It allows me to see how God works in the lives of others without my being actively involved. It reminds me that God's work is not carried out by people working under their own power; rather, it is God working through people and situations to accomplish His sovereign will. Essentially, it's not about us. It's about Him. Everything is about Him, even if we fail to see it at the time.
Over the course of the last several months, two other AWANA leaders have come to me separately, on multiple occasions, to express their feelings about what's been going on in their own lives. Each time, I just listened and offered an encouraging word when I could. I also slowly came to realize how much these two people have in common, and I often wondered why they had not sought each other out for support, but I never really said much about it.
I found out later that a frustrating incident for both of them at last night's AWANA meeting prompted a two-hour phone call between them. This conversation blossomed into the beginnings of friendship. God used the pitfalls of the day in their lives to show them His possibilities. What a great reminder that God is at work all around me. It's a pleasant way to remember that God doesn't need me, but we all need Him. I may not understand His plan, but it's nice to know that I don't have to understand in order to trust and obey. Our God is so good. Thank you, Father, for the many wonderful ways You continue to bring peace to my heart.
(Names have been withheld to preserve the privacy of all saved sinners involved.)
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28
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