Such a time as this

I often wonder what times I was made for. I know God has had his hand in my life (as all of us) in a very intentional way. As some have heard of the ripple effect that has occured in my life, I cannot deny that God has a plan for me. Like Amy preached on Sunday night, we were made for such a time as this. Esther did some pretty amazing things in her life. She didn't come from royalty, but became it. She didn't plan to save a nation, but she did.

Here is a little tid bit into my life and the ripple effect of small, seemingly insignificant actions:

When I was in 6th grade I went out (against my better judgement) to congradulate personally the team who had just defeated me in flag football, my arch rival Chatfield.
On that team was a boy whose mother saw me and was impressed by my actions.
She intended to send her son to the private school I was at because of it. She never did but told her brother about the school.
Her brother sent his oldest son to the school in 8th grade (commuting an hour each way).
His son became my best friend Francesco Paese.
Francesco Paese invited me to Simpson Park Camp.
Simpson Park Camp introduced me to Youth Ministry in a way I had never seen.
Simpson Park Camp introduced me to Greg Martin.
SPC also introduced me to Spring Arbor University students.
I ended up going to SAU, interning with Greg at Clarkston UMC, and pursuing Youth Ministry.
At SAU I met my wife.
From my internship I got the job I wanted most.

All this from a few extra congradulator remarks and gestures. And now I have been set up through all that, for such as time as this. I could live comfortably and hang out with teens and the rest of the church hoping to influence lives for Christ. But that would be easy. Pray and discipline are needed all the more, because I know God will use the willing in extreme ways, in such a time as this. Whose life could you lift today in simple ways? I am willing, are you?