Our special guest blogger today is Michelle S. Lazurek, a multi-genre award-winning author, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mother. She is a regular contributor for ibelieve.com and crosswalk.com and has written for Focus on the Family, Campus Crusade for Christ, and Christianity Today. She also is a literary agent for Wordwise Media Services. Her new book, Hall of Faith, highlights ordinary people who, in the bible, trusted God. When not working, she enjoys sipping a Starbucks latte, collecting 80s memorabilia, and spending time with her family and her crazy dog. For more info, please visit her website www.michellelazurek.com.
“Mom, God spoke to me at church today.”
Our teenage daughter, raised in the church, told us this one Sunday afternoon after we got home from church. Two years ago, she had volunteered at a Christian camp and served as a counselor in training. While there, she got a chance to lead worship, teach kids about the word, lead devotions for the staff, and lead a few kids to Christ. When she came home that year, she was completely transformed. This newfound purpose in her life fueled her boldness to live for God.
Last year, she chose not to attend the camp because she was completing her hours to get her driver’s license and trying to make money to save for college. Although these were lofty ambitions, she began to morph into her old habits. Inappropriate material on her phone, filthy language, and an overall grumbling attitude became staples in our home. Although we enjoyed the new young woman who was passionate about Christ and spreading the gospel to others two years before, this was not the case for her entire life.
She had a challenging Freshman year. She switched schools to an art school with a dark, spiritual environment. Not only was she ostracized for being a Christian, but she was mocked and belittled by her peers because they believed she was brainwashed by her father, who was a pastor. “You’re stupid for believing in God,” they told her. This was devastating as a young girl trying to fit in and find her way in life.
For a year, she dressed in black clothing, wore black makeup, and stopped talking about God to her friends. As parents, it was heart-wrenching to see her go down this path. In desperation, I went into her bedroom while she was at school and anointed each wall with anointing oil. I kneeled and prayed. “God, she’s slipping away from us. We don’t know what to do, but you do, Father. Bring her back to you. Help her become the girl that was once on fire for you.”
Little did we know that time at camp would transform her heart, give her purpose, and give her a renewed sense of boldness for proclaiming the gospel even amid isolation and loneliness. That year was a lesson for my husband and me about the power of God’s sovereignty. God brought her back to himself even when we thought she was too far gone to return. His presence in her life through visions and speaking to her heart was enough to turn her complacent heart into one of boldness and courage.
God has an interesting way of taking people who seem too far gone with their actions and using him for his glory, doesn’t he?
The Hebrews 11 passage called the Hall of Faith highlights many of these people. Some people, like Samuel and Noah, are highlighted for the positive things and their unwavering commitment to the Lord. However, other people whose actions were less than reputable were also highlighted in this passage. Rahab, who had a promiscuous reputation, is also highlighted for her faith. Her courage in welcoming Joshua’s friends into her home despite persecution made her a woman of great faith. Despite his murderous and adulterous ways, David is also featured. He had great faith and is called “A man after God’s heart.”
Even when we make questionable choices as we desire to be accepted and feel included, God still honors us for our faith. Our daughter may have looked too far gone by society’s standards, but she was not too far gone for God. Only He knows our hearts.
Our obedience to God is the proof of our faith in God. Whether God calls us to significant assignments or small ones for him, our willingness to be obedient ensures our success in God. We commit these acts of obedience and faith because we know God can be trusted. When we take these steps of obedience, even if they seem weird or even ignorant by the world’s standards, God is honored. He delights in our faithful obedience to him.
Is there someone in your life who you feel is too far gone for God to use? Pray and ask God to turn their hearts back to him. Even in the worst circumstances, God can whisper to our rebellious hearts and turn them into faithful, obedient ones. God can be trusted! We obey him by praying earnestly for our loved ones who appear too far gone to turn back to God and by our acts of faith.
Joleen Steel is happily married to her husband of thirty-seven years, Rev. Dr. David Steel. Together Joleen and David have raised three boys. As a certified teacher, Joleen taught Kindergarten for twenty years in both the secular and private Christian school environments. Her last seven years teaching in a Charlotte Mason-inspired Classical Christian school were some of her most fulfilling years as an educator. Now retired, Joleen works full-time for Camping Stick Kids.
