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If He Don't Move It, He'll Use It!
“Though our outward man perish,
yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:16 (KJV)
I recently heard Pastor Steven Furtick of Elevation Church say something that stayed with me: “If God don't move it, He'll use it.” And friend, I've been thinking about that in the context of grief.
This week, while serving grieving families, two situations touched me deeply. Afterward, I found myself sitting quietly, allowing the tears to fall as memories of my own losses resurfaced.
Because I openly share my testiony most of you know my mother died in 1980. I was just 14 years old, and her death devastated me. Nobody really talked about it, nor were there any grief supports available, and I didn't know how to process mine.
Seventeen years later, in 1997, my daddy very unexpectedly died. But this time I was different. I had rededicated my life to Christ, was in a healthy marriage, raising my children, care giving and was hungry for God's Word.
I was and am madly in love with Jesus! But looking back, I realize I hadn't learned how to lean into my grief.
There were responsibilities to fulfill, arrangements to make, and people depending on me. I was so busy doing, I didn't think about nor recognize the importance of helping my children process their grief.
It wasn't intentional. I simply did the best I could with what I knew.
And now, nearly 30 years later, I'm STILL becoming!
The Apostle Paul is a great example for us as he pleaded with God to remove his thorn, but God's answer was, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”
(2 Corinthians 12:9)
In other words, if God doesn't move it, He will use it!
Grief can be one of life's greatest thorns. And while I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on anyone, I can testify that God has used mine in ways I could have never imagined.
You see, I never planned to enter funeral service, but looking back, I see God's hands preparing me all along. There have been little drops of healing along the way.
But becoming requires honesty, intentionality, and sometimes you'll need to seek out help, and please dont over think it. Because every pastor needs a pastor. Every stylist needs a stylist. And every caregiver needs someone to care for them, too, yes?
Well, I'm learning that myself. In fact, I'm planning to take advantage of counseling resources available through my new employer. And because I got sense enough to know that I don't know everything, the truth remains that I'm not finished becoming.
Dear friends, now we are children of God,
and what we will be has not yet been made known.
But we know that when Christ appears,[
we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
(1 John 3:2)
So, here's YOUR faith challenge this week:
Create for yourself an honest progress report, and answer this:
What has grief taught you?
What do you need to address?
And who might be able to help you become better?
Remember, be kind to yourself.
And the way you treat people is ministry.
Much love and admiration!
Earline
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