Me + you = us

Who are we alone?

Without friends, family, co-workers, bosses, teachers, classmates, who are we? What does our existence look like when we are put in a vacuum? As a sociologist, I would make the claim that we, as the person we've come to define ourselves as, would not exist without the existence of others. We are the collaboration of everything around us--our parents, our friends, our exposure to media, location.

So who would I be if I weren't in Christ? Quite a different person, I can guarantee you that. If our identity is representative of our relations, we should care for those around us better--because we are a collage of pieces of those around us. A mosaic, if you will. Tiny pieces of the best of what people have to offer and that's who we've developed into. At least that's how I like to look at it. I have my mother's gift of encouragement. My father's analytical strategic thought processes. My sister's emotional enthusiasm. My grandmother's loyalty. My friends' laughter. My Heavenly Father's grace, mercy, humility.

Who do you want to be?

When I think about who I have become and who I used to be, I can't help but think back to all the people who've made guest appearances in my life. Friends who dedicated time to encouraging me, mentors and professors who believed I had as much to offer as my potential would warrant. I also think back upon the harsh bosses that I learned the ethics that I DON'T want to live by. I've learned so much from the people God has placed in my life.

I say all this because as I think about all the people I'm meeting these days, I want to offer myself to them. I want to offer them a beneficial piece of me for their mosaic. Do you need encouragement? Do you just need an ear to listen? Or maybe a swift kick in the rear to get you motivated? I want God to use me in a communal, relative way as He's used pivotal individuals in my life. The beauty of God using me is that He'll use me flaws and all. I have been a bedraggled, poor, flailing, weak child--but He's used me. And I have faith that He'll continue to use me. Honestly, I think He receives the most glory by using a cracked pot such as I. What glory is there to be gotten if He used the prettiest, most capable ones to accomplish the daring feats? But by using me--who even at my best may only be a beautiful letdown--oh, there's Glory in using me.

And if you're in need of nothing else but the reminder that God is the ultimate satisfier, provider, healer, maybe He'll allow me to be that for you.

"There are ghosts from my past who owned more of my soul than I thought I had given away. They linger in closets and under my bed and in pictures less proudly displayed. A great fool in my life I have been--have squandered till palid and thin. I've hung my head in shame and refuse to take blame for the darkness I know I've let win. So turn on the lights and reveal all the glory--I am not afraid. To bare all my weakness, knowing in meekness--I have a kingdom to gain. There is peace and love in the light, I am not afraid to let Your light shine bright in my life."--Jennifer Knapp