On Being Used

A couple weeks ago I was going through a rough time. I got fed up and started complaining to God about people using me. For some reason, I was expecting some words of comfort or a "Caitlin, I know what it feels like," or some other form of consolation.

Much to my surprise (although, thinking back, this shouldn't have surprised me at all), God didn't show me pity or the type of compassion I was looking for. Instead, I received a "Caitlin, that's what I created you for."

WHAT?

Immediately, Matthew 10:8 was dropped into my spirit. Freely you have received, freely give. He then gave me John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. Finally, I remembered Ezekiel 47, which is the chapter that speaks of the healing river. (If you're not familiar with the passage, I really recommend you go read it now. For your own benefit.. because it's super awesome.)  I'm most concerned with verses 8-9 and verse 11.  ^8bWhen it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. ⁹ And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes......¹¹ But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt.

Did you catch that? The river that flows out of us is filled with healing. Wherever we take it, we will bring life. The people we touch (multitudes!) will receive that healing life of the living water. However, if we allow our river to remain stagnant, no healing will occur.  In other words, if we don't freely give, the living water inside of us becomes worthless, and no one that we come into contact with will receive life.

A bonus is that as we give out, God replenishes (and often with a greater measure).  Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. So we're actually doing ourselves a favor by letting others use us.

We should not complain when others "use" us. We should rejoice and praise God that we can be a witness of His love to them. Luke 6:29-30, 35 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. When others use us, we should offer to give them even more than they're searching for.

Jesus was kind to the unthankful and the evil during His time on Earth (and still is today). We should be, too. I feel like so often I cry the cry of Isaiah, "Here am I! Send me," and then I complain when the Lord is faithful to answer my prayer.

Time for things to change. Time to hand over my tunic. Here am I! Send me!