New ipod in the Toilet

Yesterday ended with the news that our new ipod accidentally fell in the toilet. I wonder if it had been any other day, if we would have been more upset, but yesterday we weren't.  

I (C) was invited to come share a devotional in a young girls cell/small group.  This cell group is led by one of the young ladies that was a teenager during our time here 6 yrs ago.  I can still see her sitting in my Sunday school class on Galations, and her eyes openning wide when she realized why Christ had to die on the cross for our sins.  Now here she is all grown up, a young lady leading her own group of teen girls.  I know I keep mentioning that my greatest joy has been to see some of the youth that have now grown up serving passionately in the church, but I can't help it.

None of this is to toot my own horn .. on the contrary it is to toot God's horn.  It is amazing that He in is His infinite wisdom has chosen to include us in the work of expanding the kingdom.  He doesn't need us.  I can remember John Piper saying once, we need to be used by Him not vice versa.  It is so true.  Anyways, many times we don't get to see the fruit of what one does... yesterday I was humbled to see how God really can use us.  So that is what I chose to share with the girls.  My whole talk was based on how God uses us, how God used people in Acts to affect history.  Saul was ministered to by Ananais when Ananais didn't understand why God would call him to speak to the biggest persecutor of Christianity.  Yet he obeyed and that obedience brought about eternal fruit.  An investment that lasts.

  

I was able to share with the girls that people invested in me and spent time with me to share Christ.  God used so many people and still uses so many people to speak to my heart, to challenge me , to grow me, etc.  He does that in all our lives. Then in turn God give us the same opportunity to spread his Kingdom in others.  So to God's glory, He includes us in His story of redemptive history.  I know none of this is earth shattering or new and I know many who read this can add there own stories of God's work in them and through them.  I guess it comes down to the fact that it is just amazing to watch it before my eyes.  Here is this one youth, now investing in younger girls, and the cycle will then continue.

 

So obviously after spending time with the girls and pondering investing our lives in things that affect eternity.. what does the fact that my ipod fell in the toilet matter?  That is exactly how long material things and things of this world last.. only until they encounter the toilet.  Yet it astounds me how God can use us in small ways to have huge, exponential, lasting affects for eternity.