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S H E E R P A N I C !

I have absolutely nothing left to give. Why am I doing this?

These words can grip my soul as tenaciously as the many fears that gripped my heart in those first few months of widowhood.

These words, I have battled with often. They creep in unexpectedly and can overwhelm me for days. Sometimes they even immobilize me – especially when it is time to write to you. And as the battle rages on, once again, I ask, “Why am I doing this?”

Because I was created to glorify Him!

Our purpose is explicitly spelled out in Isaiah:

“everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”
Isaiah 43:7 ESV

We are created for His glory!

The task before me today is not by chance. God knows what I am struggling with, He knows what I am thinking. He knows my shortcomings. And long ago He wrote me a love letter to encourage my heart. In His letter, He reminded me I was created for His glory. He also wrote a story about another widow, who out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on. She thought she had nothing left to give…He saw so much more. He saw her sacrifice and her heart. In that one small act, she glorified Him. Can you imagine?

With a simple act of sacrifice today we can glorify our Lord – the great I Am!

So it matters not, if I feel totally inadequate, or if I panic about the words to write so you will be encouraged. It matters not, if my heart continually breaks for your pain until I feel like I have nothing left to give. What does matter is today I will give everything I have to give. Tomorrow I hope to do the same. The trials I have faced have worked much like the refiner’s fire. My greatest desire is to do what I was created to do – glorify Him!

What is your heart’s greatest desire?

Sisters, my prayer for you today is that you will live today to its fullest. You will not let fear or grief or insecurities or just everyday distractions stop you from giving all that you have.

It may be …

• a simple smile or a thank you when you are at your lowest.
• a prayer of praise acknowledging He is your Lord and Savior.
• trusting Him to get you through one more day.
• taking on a new challenge or forgiving someone that really doesn’t deserve forgiveness.
• sharing your story and testifying about the magnificence of His grace.

Whatever He puts before you, may your sacrifice and your heart glorify Him!

Let these words from the hymn “Hark, The Voice of Jesus Calling” inspire you to continue running the race as the faithful servant you are:

Let none hear you idly saying,
There is nothing I can do.
While the lost of earth are dying,
And the Master calls for you;
Take the task He gives you gladly;
Let His work your pleasure be;
Answer quickly when He calls you,
Here am I, send me, send me.

Words by Daniel March, 1868 in the hymn “Hark, The Voice of Jesus Calling”