By: Johnny Anonymous YouTube Channel
Sophia was two days away from turning 19, as her dad
put the final touches on her new room. College was
out of the question, as Math and Science had nothing
to do with her passion. It was an addition to the end
of the house that butted up against the huge Ponderosa
pine trees just outside. A year long project with six
windows, wooden floors, a high ceiling, and even a
couch. It was a quiet part of the house where she
could practice her craft, where the Seattle rain would
tap on the roof most days. Her baby grand piano
positioned between the windows, was her life savings.
She was downtown, and hours away when it happened.
Her headlights lit up the house as she came around the
bend. “Oh no!, wait, that's not so bad.” she thought to
herself as she got closer, but her new room was on the
opposite end of the house.
Nervously, she unbuckled her seat-belt and went inside. With tears welling up in her eyes, Sophia saw that it had crushed the top of the roof and rain had been pouring in for hours.
She stood there for minutes, sobbing, staring at the damage. She then asked...
"God?"
"Yes, child."
“It seems as though everything in my life is going wrong, nothing is going right.”
“My child, I knew the tree would fall, it was 120-years old and had rot and disease.
“It had rot and disease like me?”
“What do you mean Sophia?”
“You already know what I mean, You're God. Please don't make me recite my life out load.”
“It needs to be spoken in order for others to hear. It's part of your story that you will tell to other.”
“But why would you choose me to speak with? I'm nothing. I'm no one. I've done bad things in my life. I am blemished, bruised, and battered. I'm like a filthy rag. Why would You or anybody listen to me? I'm not worthy.”
“No, listen closely my child. Stop believing those lies. You are a child of God. You are a friend of Jesus. You have been washed clean. You are a new creation. If others do not listen to what you have to say, that is mine to carry, not yours.”
“How can this be?”
“I love you so much. So much so that I sent my only Son, Jesus, to earth in human form to set the example for those willing to listen and obey.”
“Help me to better understand all of it, God.”
“Open your mind Sophia, and hear me clearly. I sent my only Son to earth to die a horrible death of a criminal on a cross. He did this so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish in hell, but have everlasting life here in Heaven. It was decided long ago; He would arrive as a baby born of a virgin in Nazareth of Galilee. He would grow into the man I had created Him to be and bear witness to all who would listen. When the time came, He would sacrifice himself to save mankind.”
“But how can this be, God? I cannot even fathom sending my child to die for a saint, much less a wretch like me. How could you bear it?
“When He left the deity to become flesh, He knew it was what needed to be done in order for mankind to be saved. When He began His ministry, He was lied to and lied about. He was spat on and abused. He was betrayed by someone close to Him. He was mocked and forced to carry His own cross even when He could barely carry it Himself. He was hated because He was different from what they knew and believed. He was whipped and beaten till He was unrecognizable. With each pound of the nails in His hands and feet, the sin of the world was pounded into His spirit. As Jesus hung on that cross, I couldn't even look at Him. Not only was He a bloody, mangled mess of shredded flesh, but He was also so covered in sin, that I had to look away.”
“Oh, God! I'm sorry. It must have taken every ounce of your control not to smite the very souls you were trying to save!”
“Yes. But love prevails. It was for love that we had to do this. It was for this act of selfless sacrifice that you are able to speak with me today. Because of what Jesus did on the cross and because you believed in Him, you are now free from the wages of sin.”
“My very soul is at war with my mind, I'm trying to process and comprehend this selfless act.”
“It isn't meant for you to analyze Sophia, only to understand and believe in.”
“I’m sorry God. I'm so sorry. I have no words. I don't even know how to begin to ever thank you.”
“Look up child. Let your tears fall, but don't be sorry. Be bold in your faith. Be confident in who you are in Jesus. A broken roof, a lost job, an illness, even a wrecked piano...you will always have strife in this life, but know that I am always with you.”
“How am I to be confident when it is I who caused you such pain? I don’t deserve such love.”
“It’s true. This is not a love you can ever earn. It is freely given.”
“So how then can I even begin to show my thanks and give my gratitude for such a sacrifice on my behalf?”
“Just as I have put Jesus on display for all to see, so you too have been given the tools to do the same.”
“What tools do I have to accomplish such a task God?”
“Tell your story Sophia, on your piano, through the songs you will write.”
“My piano is now warped and the wire is rusted from the rain.”
“Not for long.”
“Each on of my children has been given gifts and talents.
Some are singers, some songwriters. Some play instruments.
Some are scholars, teachers, and pastors. Some are actors,
creative minds, and authors. Some are good with numbers
while other are craftsmen and can build with their hands.
Some have eyes open to the spirit, and others have the
ability to speak many languages. Whatever has been given
to you, use it to tell your story and put Jesus on display.
So that through you, others will come to Me. For it is My
wish that all shall be saved.”
“My story is ugly, God. I'm afraid to tell it. What if I'm not liked after I tell it?”
“It is possible that some may not like what they hear, but tell them anyway, just as Jesus did.”
“What if people don't believe me?”
“Some will not. Persevere as Jesus did.”
“Who do I tell it to?”
“All who will listen.”
“Fear holds me a bay, God. Doubt is close to my side.”
“I will send a helper, the Holy Spirit. He will guide you in wisdom and truth. Fear and Doubt will be lifted while you share your story.”
“What if no one comes to hear it?”
“There are people who need to hear your story. It's the reason I allowed you to walk this path. They too, have Fear and Doubt as their companions. They are hungry. They will come Sophia, because I will send them by the thousands.”
“What happens if I get tongue-tied and can't speak?”
“Write it in a song. You have the Living Word in you, and it cannot be silenced.”
“Where do I start?”
“From the beginning.”
“Are you sure I should start there?”
“Yes...I'm sure.”
“God?”
“Yes, child.”
“Will you be with me?”
“I will never leave your side.”
“Promise?”
“On my Son's life!”
“God isn't looking for someone who has it all together to share His message. He is looking for someone who is willing. Here is something that will encourage you and increase your effectiveness in telling people your story. 2 Corinthians 12:9 states this...
”And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” (NASB1995).
You've most likely heard this as well...
”God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called.”
It's not about our ability, it's about our availability. And finally 1 Peter 4:10 states...:
”As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (NASB1995).
All Bible verses are from the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995)