These words have such a deeper meaning to me now than what they would have a few months ago. I have always had faith and trust in God but haven’t been giving Him “what I had”. I went to church every Sunday, read a devotional and listened to worship cds almost everyday and prayed on occasion. But my faith was inactive and my relationship with Christ was distant at best.

Several years ago, Cindy and I were youth leaders at the church we attended. I withdrew from the youth ministry and haven’t served in the church for over 5 years until we began to attend Elevate. Many times I felt God was placing on my heart the need to serve. However, I didn’t heed his calls. Without going into detail, the last 2 years have been very difficult and painful for family and I. Because of the pain and depression that I had been in for so long, I chose not to press into God and put my complete faith and trust in him to deliver me from the situation I was in. I knew in my heart and had faith that He would, but I couldn’t give up control. Slowly, I began to give up control and since then things have turned around for us and God has delivered us out of this situation (thanks in large part to Cindy’s faith and continued prayers).

During this time I sat on the sidelines and didn’t serve in the church. Because of my lack of true faith and my state of mind, I felt I couldn’t be an effective servant or witness for Christ. I know now just how wrong this thinking was.

It doesn’t matter what your employment or financial situation may be, your mental state or where you are in your walk with Christ. God just wants us to give what we have. However little it may be, a shepherd’s staff, a sling and a stone or just a warm hello to a stranger, God will use you and do mighty things. And He will bless you for it.

So as we go into Sunday’s Grand Opening at Elevate, give what you have and be a blessing to someone new.