How Do You Long To Touch the World?
I’ve been hungry for so long.
Maybe it started in middle school, when our old piano sat right by the front door. I would open the door in the summer and play as loudly as I could, so that everyone who walked by could hear and enjoy the music. Back in those days, I started playing piano for our small-town church. All I wanted was to work the crescendo and emotion of music, to help people for a moment forget their troubles and touch Emmanuel. I was hungry to pull a tear of joy from someone’s eyes, to bring life and hope into the room.
Or maybe it was when I worked at the grocery store over the summers during college, and someone told me that people’s eyes dilate when another human looks them in the eye. One sincere look could physically change someone’s day, and I made it my goal ever after to look people in the eye and, with every ounce of my being, silently express to them, You are loved by your Creator.
Or maybe it was when I argued with Matt over the front room curtain. He wanted to close it at night, and I wanted to leave it open. I longed for people to drive by and see our warm, happy family and be encouraged that there was good in the world.
Maybe it was when I was sitting at my desk, crafting Spanish lessons for high school students, doing everything I could to weave truth and salvation into our time together. Come for Spanish, leave with Jesus.
I’ve always been so hungry to reach up with one hand and grab heaven and with the other hand grab someone by the soul and bring the two together.
Now my message has deepened into one of home building. Again, I’m opening wide the front door, so that women can hear the music. I want to throw back the curtains despite the dark night and say, “Look what kind of home you can have when you follow Jesus!”
No doubt God has designed me to be this “listen to me” and “look at me” person, with an insatiable desire to play and show and teach and guide. He has put in me a passion to express my faith that never dissipates.
Don’t you know that God shapes each one of us uniquely? As I put these words down on paper, I realize I am different. I am different from other people. Not many people want their curtains open at night.
You have been shaped in a special way, too. Can you look back and see all that you have experienced that makes you who you are? No one has your perspective and your heart.
You might not play the piano or work in a grocery store or teach Spanish, but you are alive in a specific place at a specific time, and God has put in you some deep desperation, to be who you are in a way that gives people the joy and hope of knowing Jesus. It takes courage, though, because you are different. I am being brave to continue being who God has made me to be, and you will have to be brave as well.
Recently, one of my dear readers sent me a handmade watercolor card and told me I was a good writer and to keep it up. Encouragement! Now this is me, painting my own words here for you today, to tell you that you can be good at what God has been shaping you to be. Keep it up! Be a light in this dark world.
sorry for the double entry…. Jay waved to be sure it was understood i want Him to SHINE, and I know He won’t shove!! haha
Oh, I’m not a good editor. I didn’t even notice the error. Definitely shine. 🙂
I pray daily that the LORD would shine His Light through me, as I serve people needing a handibus ~ to and from their doctors, shopping, education, and home again. This morning I actually had the GREAT JOY of hearing an elderly man say, “I’m gonna find GOOD again. I need to!” and that was after a very short trip to his dialysis doctor. I had smiled as i greeted him, joked around with him as I hooked his wheelchair up, and played soft Spirit-led music as I drove to less-than-3 miles trip. In previous encounters with him, I’ve done the same. The first time I met him, I said, “God morning, sir. Nice to meet you!” and he said, “Don’t say that! It’s not nice to meet me! I’m a cranky, mean old man!!” hahaha God is so good, and He’s already working on this fella’s heart!!! I just got the JOY of being God’s tool. Jesus is so sweet!!!♡
I pray daily that the LORD would shove His Light through me, as I serve people needing a handibus ~ to and from their doctors, shopping, education, and home again. This morning I actually had the GREAT JOY of hearing an elderly man say, “I’m gonna find GOOD again. I need to!” and that was after a very short trip to his dialysis doctor. I had smiled as i greeted him, joked around with him as I hooked his wheelchair up, and played soft Spirit-led music as I drove to less-than-3 miles trip. In previous encounters with him, I’ve done the same. The first time I met him, I said, “God morning, sir. Nice to meet you!” and he said, “Don’t say that! It’s not nice to meet me! I’m a cranky, mean old man!!” hahaha God is so good, and He’s already working on this fella’s heart!!! I just got the JOY of being God’s tool. Jesus is so sweet!!!♡
What a powerful ministry! It’s amazing to me the difference Jesus can make through us in just a few minutes with someone, if we’re abiding in him. Blessings on you!! And may the Lord do great work in this man’s life.
Thank you, Christy!! ♡
I love this visual of reaching up to reach out and the reminder of courage to do so. I love the reminder that we might be the only Jesus someone sees.
It does require a lot of courage. Our adversary likes to make us feel small and worthless.
You are a great writer!
When I read this: “but you are alive in a specific place at a specific time, and God has put in you some deep desperation, to be who you are in a way that gives people the joy and hope of knowing Jesus.”, it made me think of the passage in Esther 4:14b, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 😊
For such a time as this indeed.
“Let your LITTLE LIGHT SHINE!” Ms. Fitzwater, you are a great encourager! Thank you for taking the time to share your personal insights and shining LIGHT into my seasoned aging life.