A friend made this comment on Facebook to my first article on the topic of the Drained Teabag Syndrome: ‘Drained teabags are good for facial’. Slow thinker as I am, it stuck with me. And I started chewing on that thought like teenagers chew gum in church (not judging, I do too).
At times, we’re drained because of the choices we make, and other times simply because of tiresome circumstances coming our way.
Triggered by our choices or not, sooner or later we all go through the phase of being drained. Since nothing happens for no reason in God’s world, I’m asking myself, ‘How can I use my feeling drained to bring beauty to Christ?’
Do you have to feel great in order to be useful? Should God wait on us to clean up the mess in our life before we allow Him to be part of His grander picture? Does He have to wait until we find a better job? Until one is married? Until kids are out of the house? Until I feel strong like the Energizer bunny?
God’s Beautiful Story
Read it
To fight against our own thoughts and attitudes, and other arrows shooting our way. “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
To encourage us. ‘For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Live it
Set an example even when you don’t feel like it. Don’t wait to have ‘happy feelings’ first, and then you start living in obedience. The joy, and the happiness is waiting for us on the other side of the ‘OBEY’ door.
Live your faith at work by standing up for the truth.
Live your faith at school by having a respectful attitude toward your professors, by studying hard, and being truthful with your work.
Live your faith at home. So many Christians find it easier to sample godliness outside the house. The home is that safe, and comfortable place where we let our guard down to relax. We shouldn’t relax so much then, if we’re too comfortable sinning (snippy comments, lack of care, attitude of laziness ’cause you worked all day etc.)
Share it
Use words. Not just action. We often say, ‘let people see Jesus in you’. What if a person is really kind, generous, in control of their tongue… How can we know they are trying to represent God’s embassy? Maybe they just want to be a better version of themselves, or represent a different embassy.
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Romans 10:17
What if Paul in his missionary journeys always lived out his faith, but never shared it?
Don’t wait to have a pretty story to tell, or a sad enough story to inspire.
Don’t wait till you’ve conquered all knowledge to tackle any Biblical question, or till you grow old enough to impart wisdom.
Just be available and intentional.
A Drive Test
Everything you read up until now I was writing as I was sitting in the lobby at a hotel near Amsterdam, before heading to the airport to go home. Well, little did I know I was going to be challenged to give a try to what I had just written.
As I was checking in for my flight back to Bucharest, I could not get the seat I wanted, 25 C. It was clearly available. I tried many times, it just wouldn’t work. So, I tried 27 C. It worked.
When I was on the plane, I was greeted by a very smiley, and friendly young lady. We cracked some jokes, we made little talk. Later, our little chit-chat turned into a God discussion. I shared a bit about my drained season of life as an illustration to the God story. Asked the question if she believes in God, the young lady said ‘No, I don’t believe in God. I believed until I was 17, but then I read more books…’ It’s true. She was very well read, better than I was. (Nowadays I find myself reading more kids books to my girls)
I felt unequipped to answer a lot of questions about other planets, or why God created Adam first. I pray I didn’t confuse her more than challenged her thinking. I also shared with this adorable young lady that I know for sure that it was not by mistake I was able to get the seat 27 C, and not the other one.
As I was passionately talking to her, a neighbor in front of us, a big gentlemen (for me, everyone is big) turned and said “I really like your discussion. Don’t stop it. But, when we get off the plane, could I say something to both of you?”
We asked the guy partly jokingly, partly seriously, if he could go ahead and share with us his thoughts right there and then since we had a plane-full of witnesses. He said ‘No’. As we got off the plane, he said respectfully ‘I want you guys to go to Jerusalem. I’ve been there 3 or 4 times, and I felt nothing.’
I’m not sure what he meant by that. He didn’t share much more. Two thoughts went through my mind: 1. FAITH is not about feelings, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1 2. Who would have thought that my getting a little passionate and loud might reap benefits? He got to hear our conversation. I pray a seed was somewhere planted.
In Conclusion
Use your raw story. In the end our story is not really ours. As I heard Jill Briscoe say, ‘we are just an illustration in the God story’. Be willing to open up with others that may benefit from it even if you feel unequipped.
If you have pain. Don’t trumpet it. Be willing to share it.
If you have shame. Don’t hide it. Deal with it and let God use it.
If you have hurt. Don’t waste it. Pour out love instead of revenge.
If you can talk. Talk about Jesus unashamed. Represent His embassy well.
Things I need to work on:
- Read God’s beautiful story
- Live God’s beautiful story
- Share God’s beautiful story