In May 2016, our daughter was struck by a car while crossing the street after a festival in a nearby city. She went home with the Lord early the next morning. In the days that followed, I began to share about my struggle with God during the two months preceding her death.
The struggle began on Easter Sunday, exactly two months before our daughter’s accident. We had just begun to watch “The Passion” musical when I asked God to show me His heart.
My spirit cried out to Him as I tried to understand the cost of sin to Him as a Father—the cost He paid through the suffering and death of His Son to give us the opportunity to come home, to be restored to fellowship with Him for eternity.
When I asked God to see His heart, He responded with a question. He asked:
Would you see sin differently if it were your child who had to die for sin? Would the Church see sin differently? Would the world see it differently?
With those words echoing in my soul, I saw a vision of my daughter as a toddler. She was walking away with Jesus as she said goodbye.
The tears began streaming down my face as my spirit understood that our daughter would soon be leaving us. I did not know when. I only knew that it wouldn’t be long.
God also shared with me that many—perhaps most—would not be able to receive these words. Many would struggle to believe our testimony of His grace.
So I must ask, have you ever pondered…
Why him? He’s just a normal guy like me.
Why her? Was it really meant to be?
There’s nothing special about their lives.
They’re no different, no more wise.
Is their story really true?
If God used them,
why not me and you?
It can be difficult for us to see
how freeing simple faith can be.
But…
Wasn’t there a woman at a well
who had a beautiful story to tell?
She met a Man who changed her heart,
so she went out boldly to do her part.
She couldn’t hold the truth inside;
it was His grace and not her pride.
She didn’t worry what others would say,
whether they’d listen or walk away.
When she spoke,
His story she told;
she witnessed the power
of His grace unfold.
She had no fear.
Her words were bold,
because it’s not the vessel,
but what the vessel holds.
God uses broken people because all people are broken. His power is made perfect in our weakness. We are all simply clay vessels, yet we have been entrusted with the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Our part, just like the woman at the well, is to share with others about our encounter with Jesus.
“For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2Cor 4:5-6)
We carry the treasure of his Good News in our weak vessels.
“Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”(2Cor 4:7-10)
If we remain silent, the very stones will cry out and declare his glory!
“And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” But some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!” “I tell you,” He answered, “if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out.”” (Luk 19:37-40)
So why him? Why her? Why me? Why you? Because the power has never been in the vessel. The power is in the Truth the vessel carries.
