If not us, who? If not now, when?

Wheelchair-bound Lai Chi-wai climbs the Lion Rock in Hong Kong, China December 9, 2016. Bylson Wong/Handout via REUTERS

We have all heard the quote, “If not us, who? If not now, when?

Absorb that quote a moment. It took a person to decide that people would someday transport from location to location by flying in the air. A person to decide that all races should be equal. A person to decide that women should have the right to vote. A person to dream about a communication system where information could be passed immediately across the world. A person to dream of a phone that could also serve as a camera, calendar, and tiny computer that is mobile. A person to identify penicillin saving the lives of billions. A person to decide houses and buildings could be lit through electricity.

What mark are you going to leave? Why can't amazing changes come from you? If you are a Christian, God lives within you who created the multiple universes, stars, black holes, planets, sun, moons and our little Earth.

The Bible talks about Jesus and says, “ — even the winds and the sea obey Him! ” Matthew‬ ‭8:27‬ b HCSB‬‬

If you are a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you. The same God that everything obeys and the creator of all things.

God gives us all choices, gifts and opportunities, but we often take these for granted. If you do not value these opportunities, you will lose them. Do you believe that? Let me prove it to you. Do you remember the story of Esau and Jacob? I am abbreviating it here but find it in Genesis 25. Jacob was the second born of fraternal twins. Because Esau was the first born he was guaranteed a birthright, however he did not value it. One day Esau was hungry after hunting all day and Jacob was at home making soup. Esau told Jacob, "give me a bowl of soup." Jacob said, I will give it to you for your birthright. Esau basically handed it over...FOR A BOWL OF SOUP! Esau did not value his birthright and he lost it. Jacob was waiting for his opportunity and God gave him the discernment to know this was his opportunity and Jacob was ready! This birthright made Jacobs children the leaders of all the tribes of Israel.

Have you had opportunities that you have not taken advantage? Have you let moments pass you by? It is time for us to have courage! This world needs love, compassion, empathy, courage, grit, stability, and doers. God is giving you opportunities to do, but we always seem to think He is talking about someone else. We have too many distractions. HE IS TALKING TO YOU.

My pastor used the attached image in a similar message and I thought is was a great visual. Stop noticing and giving people a smile and start doing. Make a difference. The people we read about in our history books were just ....people!

You are just as capable and have more resources than any generation before us.

Will troubles come when you start to “make a difference?” Yes! Be brave. Have courage. Be bold. In fact, be encouraged. The less, “outstanding” you think you are, the more likely God is going to use you in a BIG way. Moses was a baby found in a basket, Jonah ran from God, David was young, a shepherd and later an adulterer, Paul was a tax collector who killed Christians, Sampson was arrogant, Abraham was old, Joseph was thrown in a ditch by his brothers, and I could go on and on.

Who are you? What dent are you going to put in history. Take the risk and trust Him! The question is not, what are you capable of, but, what is God capable of doing in your life If you give Him trust and have faith.

Go forward and change the world!

If not you, who? If not now, when?

I love you guys!

Have a great week!

Crystal