Have you ever thought about what your purpose is in life?  I’ve had so many jobs in my life that I often joke…I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up!  One thing is for sure…I am passionate about leaving a legacy for my kids, grandkids, and their kids, etc.  I am not talking about leaving millions of dollars for them when I leave this earth.  Rather, I’m more concerned about leaving them truths.  Truths, that if embraced, can change their lives for eternity.  I want them to know Jesus like I do and live a life that reflects His presence in their lives.  There is no greater joy on this earth that I know than to know your children have accepted Christ into their lives and are living for Him.

Jim and I were quite blessed a few months back to be invited to my son and daughter-in-law’s church to hear them sing.  It brought such joy to my soul to sit there on the front pew and hear them sing from the heart.  The song they were singing said, “I want to be more like You, Jesus…”    I was so blessed to see them serving in the church and using their talents for God.  Really.  There is no greater joy.

When I go to speak for Stonecroft Ministries, I share my testimony and offer others the gift of salvation by praying a salvation prayer with the group.  A few weeks ago, after I spoke, a lady in the audience came up to me and told me everything she does for God.  She worked in several homeless ministries, food pantries and the like.  In fact, she had a ministry for practically every day as she told me her busy schedule of serving.   Although I was hearing about a lot of service, I wasn’t hearing about her relationship with God.

I asked her, “So when did you make the decision to follow Christ?”

She said, “Well, you know, when I go to my Al-Anon meetings and they talk about a higher power.”

I then asked again, “So at what point did you decide to follow Christ?”  She couldn’t answer.

I engaged a little longer in conversation with her until I gave up on how to reach her.  I walked away that day feeling as though I had lost.  I just couldn’t help her to see that she could be serving every day and every hour but if she didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus, it wasn’t going to get her into heaven.  Maybe she did, but I didn’t come away from the conversation assured of that.

That same day on my way to speaking, I stopped at Panera to get an ice tea.  When I left, I went to my car and went to pull out my phone to catch up on any messages I may have missed during the last couple of hours when I was driving.  However, it was nowhere to be found.  Hurriedly, I ran back into the restaurant thinking that I might have left it on the drink counter where I put my straw into my cup.  It was not there, so I asked the restaurant workers if anyone had turned it in.  One employee even made a long distance phone call to it for me to see if it would ring for us to figure out where it was.  I left defeated, once again.  No phone.  I left Jim’s phone number in case it showed up and headed for my car.  Opening the door, to my shock, there was my cell phone lying on my dashboard!  Oops!

I laughed the rest of the way there that I thought someone had stolen my phone and had everyone looking for it as it lay on my dashboard!   I really had no one to blame but myself.  No one had stolen my phone as I first thought.  It was my responsibility to keep track of it and I had failed.

I think God allowed this scenario to play out to show me that each one of us has been entrusted to our destiny and the legacy that we leave behind.  We all have free will to choose God and live for Him or not choose Him.  It is not my responsibility for others to be saved.  It is up to them to accept Christ into their lives.  Yes, I believe I am called to share the gospel with others, but I am not responsible for them if they don’t embrace it.  I can share, lead and even pray for those I encounter along the way in my travels, but ultimately, I am not responsible if they say no.

I love that God doesn’t allow me to be discouraged for long as I minister.  He gently shows me that it’s not about me.  It’s all about them and their personal relationship they choose to have with Him.  By sharing my testimony and explaining the gift of salvation, I might have done more than anyone else in their life has ever done.  I have to trust that the seeds were planted and someday they will realize that serving isn’t going to get them to heaven, but accepting God into their lives will.  I love my Boss!  He’s such a joy to serve!

Do you have someone in your life that you’ve been trying to witness to and they just don’t get it?  Don’t be discouraged.  You have been the seed-planter.  It’s really not about you.  God is calling them and speaking to them daily, as well as putting others in their lives to come behind you.  It’s not your job…it’s His.  Rest assured; He’s got this!

Acts 2:21 (NIV)  …Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 10:13 (NIV)  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

In closing…I find it interesting that the exact same sentence shows up twice in the Bible.  It appears that God felt the need to emphasize that salvation is open to EVERYONE who calls on His name!  It demonstrates the need for each one to take action, not for someone else to do it for them.  Isn’t God cool?  Have a great week and don’t forget to be a blessing!