Self-Shrinking

Human beings long to be part of something big and worthwhile. It’s built into our DNA. We all long to be the one who makes a difference or is part of some life-changing phenomenon.  It is a normal desire amongst mankind, and it is something we all have experienced one time or another.

Sadly though, we are selfish people who fall into the trap of thinking the world revolves around ourselves. We get upset when someone eats the last of the chocolate cake, or when we don’t have enough hot water to finish our steamy shower.

Selfish thoughts.

Selfish actions.

This is our life.

While we are whining and complaining about how the universe isn’t quite working out for us, the one who CREATED the universe is pushed aside and counted as less important.

CHRIST is minimized.

Man becomes ruler.

This is already a messed up situation, but to make it even worse, we, as sinners, don’t realize what we are actually doing to ourselves.

By living for ourselves, we are not expanding our lives. Instead, we are shrinking our life and the chance of “life-changing” opportunities. We are reducing our lives to the size of our thoughts and imagination.

I’m reading a book called “A Quest for More” by David Platt, (read it!) and it talks about how we, as sinners, live for the furtherance of our “little kingdom.” Since Adam and Eve, humans have always been on the lookout for a “better” kingdom. As sinners, the “better” kingdom looks more satisfying, but in reality, we cheating ourselves of the life we could have, while also displeasing God.

This is where the “Self-Shrinking” comes in. 

“Created for ‘big kingdom’ living, sin twists our allegiance and causes us to be all too dedicated to the little kingdoms of our own making. We get blinded to the transcendent glories of the big kingdom and actually believe that the little shadow glories of our own little kingdom are as good as it gets.” (Platt)

We don’t realize that Christ and his glory expand to the edge of the universe. The possibilities and opportunities in the big kingdom are endless. When Christ is the author and master, amazing things happen and miracles take place.

Only when we are living in that type of kingdom will we be a part of the “something-worth-while” we have been searching for.

We don’t realize that something “big” and “life-changing” is not only found in Christ but that it IS CHRIST! Only when we give up our little kingdom lifestyle we will be available for a holy expansion made by Christ alone. When Christ is the center (instead of ourselves) that is when real meaning and purpose starts to flood in and through our lives.

The reason I talked about this subject is because I feel like this can relate to the issue of sex trafficking. The only way we can be helpful to this problem is if we give up our little kingdom and stop living for our selfish expansion. When we let go of what sin tells us is important, that is when we will be the most useful and moldable in the hands of the Almighty God.

Let us allow Christ to empty us of ourselves so that we can be useful tools in His hands. What an honor to be a tool Christ uses to make His name known and glorified….. 

To God be the glory,

Becca

2,000 Every Day?

Comfy in your sweet home? Happy with your sweet life of routine and ease?

We were.

Now we're not.

2,000 women and children are sold into sexual slavery every day.

Right now there are at LEAST 200,000 slaves in the United States alone.

17,000 more will be trafficked into the U.S. next year.

Still feel comfortable?

Galatians 6:2, a verse we all know, says, "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." There is a universal burden that millions of hurting people bear. And that is slavery. As Christians, we must be the change. We must be the light Christ uses to illuminate the darkness and save lives.

There is a great need. There is sex slavery everywhere, in places you would least expect. We can no longer be quiet. We must do something.

What can we do?

First step - PRAY! Always pray. Matthew 21:22 says, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." Let us lift up human slaves to Christ by prayer. Jesus is the source of power and through Him great things happen.

Second step - Educate yourself. Don't let this problem go unnoticed. Challenging and difficult as the subject may be, we must not be ignorant.

Third step - Get involved. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to help. Even if it's just prayer, or funds...Christ will multiply your efforts.

This is the purpose of this blog. To encourage prayers, awareness, and action involving the issue of human trafficking. Let us learn how to serve those in need.

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'" -Matthew 25:35-40

May we be those who sacrifice for others and sacrifice for Christ. May we be the ones who Christ uses to impact lives. May we be the difference. May we be the change.