Lord, Send Me

I have a recurring dream once, or twice a year.  It is the type of dream that is so vivid.  I wake up with my heart pounding and I'm in tears.  I can never fall asleep after these dreams.

In my dream, I am standing outside the gates of Heaven.  It isn't bright and cheery.  It is dimly lit, very quiet, and everyone is somber.  One by one, people walk up to the gate.  I am always at the back of the line and never quite make it to the front.  Random people that I've come across in my life file back out, walking past me with sad, accusing looks on their faces.  It's as if they're saying, "Why didn't you tell me?"  As I see their faces, my heart aches more and more.  Why didn't I invite them to church?  Why didn't I ask them to come along to PWOC with me?  Why didn't I extend an invitation to share a meal at our home?  Why didn't I simply ask if there was something they needed me to pray for?

"It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are. But it's absolutely vital to grasp that He didn't call you there so you could settle in and live out your life in comfort and superficial peace. His purposes are not random or arbitrary. If you are still alive on this planet, it's because He has something for you to do. He placed us on this earth for purposes that He orchestrated long before we were born (Eph. 2:8-10). Do you believe you exist not for your own pleasure but to help people know the love of Jesus and to come fully alive in Him? If so, then that will shape how you live your life in the place where you are."

Francis Chan, Forgotten God

While skimming through Forgotten God this afternoon, I came across the above quote which fell perfectly in line with our pastor's sermon this morning.  I've read this quote before and have heard sermons on Ephesians 2 in the past, but today something was different.  I don't want to simply exist. I want to serve. I want to reach out to people, so they can know Him and be alive in Him!  I don't want to miss out on chances to witness to the people around me. I don't want to sit idle, but I need to be patient and wait for God to show me what His plan is for my life.