Be used wherever You are

“At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.'” 2 Kings 5:2-3 NLT

“You know how you can’t connect the dots looking forward? Looking back now I realize if it wasn’t for running I never would have found myself in Africa.” Those were the words written by my dear friend Levi Malone as we messaged one another yesterday, a friend who the Lord brought into my path many years ago when he was a young soldier from Texas stationed at the army base close to where I live. Bound together by our mutual love of running and Jesus, Levi joined our running group for many months before feeling led to leave for Kenya to train with the elite runners there. And it was this love of running that brought him back to the country and people he'd grown to adore several years later... this time as a missionary. 

And you know, when it comes to being in the right place at the right time, God is an expert at connecting the dots to get us there—something Levi was right to say can only be seen in retrospect. Consider the “young girl” who was taken captive and “given to Naaman's wife as a maid.” She surely never dreamed that she would be forcefully taken from her home to fulfill the purpose of delivering a message that would change the life of a man she had never met. But because she was faithful to serve God wherever she was placed, Namaan sought out Elisha "the prophet in Samaria" and was cured of his leprosy. Most importantly though, because of this young girl's faith, Namaan came to believe in God. 

So wherever you find yourself today, allow the Lord to use you my friend. Because whether you are where you are by your own choosing or for some other reason completely out of your control, you can be sure God has placed you there for a purpose... a purpose you might only see and understand in retrospect.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that Your ways are always better than ours and that You will lead those who love You down the path where they can be used according to Your good and perfect will. Help us to willingly go wherever it is You call us to deliver the Good News of the Gospel to those in need of hearing it Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

I will go - Big Daddy Weave