But my friend Mary can think of nothing worse than quilting. We were actually sitting around a table a couple of weeks ago, talking about how we're connecting with people around us to be light in the world and share our relationships with Jesus, and she actually said something like, "thankfully, I don't have to do something like quilting!" Instead, she has a monthly book club with some people in her neighborhood where she's intentionally and prayerfully building relationships with people around her.
What struck me in that moment again is how God has created us to be who we are on purpose. Mary hates quilting, but she loves books, so she uses her love of books to reach out to those around her. I connect with other women over quilts. And both of us have opportunities to minister to those around us as we're pursuing the things that we love to do.
That's not to say, of course, that God couldn't (or doesn't) ask us to go beyond who we are. Sometimes he does. He asked Moses to speak for a whole nation. He asked Jonah to go to Ninevah. But even when you don't have a clear calling from God to do something outrageous, he wants to use you right where you are, right who you are, to reach the people that you're naturally going to want to be around anyway.
What are your interests or hobbies? Who is in your life who shares these interests that you might be able to hang out with while doing what you love? How can you pursue a relationship with that person through the activity that you both enjoy?
Believers can't seem to help communicating Who is their Source of strength, regardless of what environment or interests they have!
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