Lord, Use Me!

“We are God’s accomplishment, created in Christ Jesus to do good things. God planned for these good things to be the way that we live our lives.” Ephesians 2:10 (CEB)

Have you heard the statement, “be careful what you ask God for because you might get it?” There is biblical truth there. If you read the account of the children of Israel’s wanderings in the dessert, you will see that even though God provided them with manna from heaven, they wanted something else…meat. God gave them what they asked for, and in the end they made themselves sick on the meat. They wanted it, God sent it and for a month they ate. This is not how the story I am going to tell you today went, but I will say, be careful and serious in what you ask of the Lord.

Brooks was scheduled to have an outpatient procedure recently, and we arrived at the hospital by 8:00 that morning. We were escorted back into an area for preparation in which the “rooms” were nothing but small areas separated by curtains. Of course, you can’t see the other folks but you can hear and you find out everything that’s wrong with them before one of you is pulled out for the procedure you are there for.

We were delayed due to an emergency so we heard a lot of people come in and go out. No too long before Brooks got called back a couple was brought into the room beside us. I heard a lot of their story, which included a lung cancer diagnosis for the gentleman back in January, remission in June, and a problem showed up on his scan in September. Thus, he was there for a bronchoscopy this particular day. His wife was beside herself with worry, in just a few minutes I heard her ask the doctor to please take care of him and return him safe to her. As I listened to this my heart went out to them. The thoughts raced across my mind of what I could say to her when we were both seated in the waiting room that might bring some comfort….but I didn’t know what she looked like, so how would I know who to approach? I thought I might pray with her if the opportunity was provided. Oh, God is previous! Before I could think my thought which was “Lord, if only I knew who she was, I’d approach her in the waiting room” – He had made a way.

Flash forward about 10 minutes, as I walked out into the waiting area I saw a lady about my age so I made my way near to where she was sitting. As I sat, she remarked to me how she hated waiting to which I replied, well, we’ve been here since 8am. She then realized it was me who had been in the room next to them because the nurses had mentioned that we had been there all morning. At that point she began to share their story with me, adding that he was all she had and how worried she was. As soon as she said this, I thought “wow, God left no room for guessing”. He brought us together there in the outpatient waiting room. The next step was all mine….

By this point, I knew their first names, she was Jennifer and he, Thomas. So, I asked Jennifer if I might pray for her – for them. Her reply….”Yes! Please!” I moved a couple of chairs closer and bowed my head and prayed aloud. Between my pounding heart and sweaty palms I got it out.

I am not retelling this to gain anything for myself, but only to show how, even maybe when we are casually offering ourselves to be used by God, He will use us.

Shortly after talking and praying with Jennifer, she got the call to come to the recovery area. Thomas’ procedure was finished. I saw her once again before being called to recovery myself, and she told me what the doctor had found was not good news.

I don’t know how their story will end but God does. I tried to convey to Jennifer that what their future held was known by the One who holds the future. This particular experience was a first for me but I’m praying it won’t be the last. I guess this is more of a testimony than devotion but I felt led to share it and to ask any of you who will to lift Jennifer and Thomas in prayer.

And remember, if you say “use me, Lord” - He most certainly will in one way or another.