I grew up in a stable Christian home. Accepted Christ at a young age. In many ways I feel like my life is a stock photo. Not perfect by any means but not filled with strife and turmoil and heartache.
I do not say any of this to brag but the opposite in fact. So many testimonies I have heard over the years are stories where people rose up out of their difficult family situations and now are mature believers rooted in Christ.
Sometimes I feel guilty. Like I was given a “Get out of Jail Free” card.
Why is my story different? My life hasn’t been perfect, but at the same time it has been less difficult than others.
I can’t tell you why God put me in the Stern family. But I am glad that he did. I shouldn't feel guilty that He did.
Last month at camp, I heard one of those stories. The speaker of that week had seen turmoil and pain and God brought him up out of that situation. One thing that he said stood out to me. He told us not to be ashamed of our story no matter how difficult or straight the path has been.
God uses every story to point to him. He uses my story to show people a glimpse of how things were supposed to be. God uses the stories of others who have been through valleys to show His power of what He can do in bringing them up out of the depths.
Reminds me a little bit of the story of Esther. She was brought up out of poverty into the house of the king. God used her story to save a nation.
In Esther 4:14 Mordecai, Esther’s cousin, tells her, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
God used Esther and her story. He wants to use yours.
Will you be caught in the never-ending cycle of what if? Or will you choose to see your story as an opportunity to give God the glory He deserves?