David Ring
At our church this morning, David Ring spoke. He was born with Cerebral Palsy, and I think he was the best person I have ever heard speak. He walks with a limp, and talks funny..but that hasn’t stopped him from preaching. He has pneumonia at the moment, but that still didn’t stop him from coming to our church. He challenged us to serve and kept asking us, what is your excuse? I sat there thinking about all the excuses I have given lately for why my spiritual life is slacking and why I’m not serving..and as I went through the list, I just kept looking at Brother Ring (as he called himself). My excuses paled in comparison to the situation he is in and has been in. I realized how my excuses were so dumb..and couldn’t hold an ounce of water. He kept talking to us about being available and being willing to serve God. I haven’t made myself available to God lately..I’ve just questioned when He was going to stop filling my plate. Instead, I need to be asking Him how can I serve Him, how can I take all I’m doing and turn each into a ministry. As soon so the service was over, I remembered the other day as I was sitting at my hall monitor table in my cheerleading uniform..just minding my own business. When a 6th grader, who probably isn’t the most popular girl in her class, came up and started talking to me. I kinda of shrugged her off because I was overwhelmed and too focused on me. But David Ring kept reminding me over and over that God’s grace is sufficient and that I can do all things through Christ who strenthens me. As I listened to him, I realized how selfish I had been. How much I had been talking about me lately and how often I complained about all that was on my to do list. I can hear myself saying, I never have time for me any more. How ashamed I am of my attitude, and how thankful I am for God’s forgiveness. As I sit here forcing down some lunch, I realize that since I’ve given up letting God run my life, it has gone helter-skelter. I’ve lost weight-which is not a good thing, I’ve almost quit doing my devotions, I’ve stopped letting God run the show. I have forgotten to take the time to smell the roses and to enjoy the little things in life. I have thought I couldn’t serve because I don’t have time, but have failed to realize that serving doesn’t have to take time. I need to give the steering wheel back to God and not keep giving Him my excuses. So, I am going to let God be in control..I’m going to trust that His grace is sufficient even when I’m low on sleep and have a million things to do. I’m going to trust that no matter what is going on in my life right now..He knows. And as Hebrews reminds us, We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was tempted in all things and triumphed. God seemed to know exactly what I needed to hear, and I am so glad I got up this morning and went to church. I will never be perfect, but through God’s grace and power, I am going to work on it. So, thanks to be God for the great things He has done!
Amanda
