Right now, the adventures of life after college are unknown to many of us. Change gets tiring, and learning to close a chapter full of friendship, memories, and lessons learned isn’t an easy one and neither is finding a future. Time and time again we ask God to use us; as if he is desperate to. All we want sometimes is for our life to have some meaning...according to the world's standards -- while serving God. God send me here, show me your plans, and I promise I’ll go, I’m just waiting on you to give me an answer.” In my waiting for answers, I’ve been reminded continually that God doesn’t need me, or you, for anything. He doesn’t need us to go certain places, or accomplish certain things. He doesn’t need our praise, our worship or our love. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in selfishness, to the point where we feel entitled enough to think that God actually depends on us for his glory to be revealed.
“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hand, as though needed anything, since he himself give to all mankind life and breath and everything.” Acts 17:24-25
Of course, It’s really easy to become self-centered and start seeking out answers for questions that don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. It’s much easier to make our own plans, instead of waiting on God. Sometimes I get so caught up in trying to chase after God’s plans for me, that I get angry and frustrated when God doesn’t answer me. I’ve been guilty time and time again of believing that I deserve to be used by God, that he owes me a step-by-step copy of his plan for my life. After all, I think I’ve been a faithful follower, so why the heck do I feel so useless? The fact of the matter is that stagnantly waiting to be used by God inhibits our ability to actively listen and live in the moment. I think that I know how God wants to use me, but here I am still waiting for that confirmation instead of simply going. It distracts us from the true purpose of life after Christ, which the apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10: 31.
“So whether you eat, or drink, do it all for the glory of God.”
When we understand that God doesn’t need us and begin to see how desperately we need Him, our intentions shift. Our entitlement turns into humility, resulting in overwhelming Spirit-filled peace about our future. Stop expecting for God give you a blueprint or a step-by-step playbook on how your life will be used from now until eternity. What you do tomorrow, next week or in 10 years, is ultimately in the hands of the one who created you. The time to give God glory is now, in the way we talk, serve and love alongside others -- do not delay! God will take and use us wherever we are -- stop waiting around and start living. May your everyday life reflect God’s glory, wherever you are, in whatever you do.