Feeling Stagnant

Mosquito

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you sometimes feel like you are going nowhere? Is your life a breeding ground for mosquitos? Is it time to get the water of life flowing again?

Mosquitos are often referred to as the Minnesota state bird. This year they are  out in force. All the rain and flooding we have seen has left lots of standing water. That standing water becomes stagnant and begins to breed mosquitos, bacteria and parasites. Stagnant water has no fresh, life-giving water flowing into it and nothing flowing out of it. It is stale and starts to smell.

This morning I had the pleasure of attending a church that was celebrating the return of their youth mission team from Jamaica. I have participated in dozens of mission trips over the years, so it didn’t take long for the urge to do mission work started to stir. They shared stories of poverty, stepping out of their comfort zones, the power of prayer, and the movement of God through each person on the mission team and the people they were working alongside.

As I listened to these stories, I began to feel a little stagnant. I longed to be apart of such an obvious movement of God. Then I began to ask myself if I was allowing God to really use me. It became clear that I had become comfortable in my surroundings. I am comfortable in my day-to-day life. The going and doing that encompasses my days is routine. Routine had left me stagnant. I haven’t been looking for God or asking God to use me. Scripture says that we are all equipped to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4: 11-13 (NIV).

As the service and stories continued, I became convicted-again. God can work through me in any place at any time. I don’t have to be on a mission trip to see God at work, to hear the Holy Spirit speak or speak of grace and mercy to others. I have to admit it is easier to focus on God’s movement when in a place of mission and ministry. To make myself vulnerable and get out of my comfort zone in my own community is scarier than when on a mission trip. Why is that? Why am I holding back?

I know I say this all the time. God has a purpose and a plan for us everyday. I need to get back to inviting Him to use me everyday! I don’t like feeling stagnant. I certainly don’t like the idea of smelling or being stale. Life with Christ is an adventure and I want to be on an adventure. Are you with me?

Are you on an adventure? Do you want to be? Do you want the river of Life flowing again? Start inviting God to use you everyday and the share your story here. Let’s encourage each other in sharing God’s movement everyday.

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