Unexpected Ways

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, so that they may be saved. 1Corinthians 10:31-33 (NRSV)

Savannah Ashley Smith lives in North Carolina. She was feeling lost and out of place/ She was sure that she had chosen the wrong place to go to school and spent hours trying to convince her mom that she needed to transfer or come home for a year. Savannah prayed daily for a sign to tell her to leave.

Savannah decided, however, to stay one more semester, and she moved in with a new roommate. During the first week of classes, her roommate began opening up to her. She told Savannah that she had been struggling with her faith and that she had noticed her strong faith in Christ. She believed God had placed Savannah in her life so that she would seek her own relationship with Christ.

When we pray, we often expect God to grant our requests in just the way we ask. But in that moment Savannah realized that while she was praying and asking God to give her a new start, to give her what she thought she needed, God was doing just that but in a different way than Savannah had imagined. She had been so worried about finding contentment in her surroundings she had forgotten that joy can only be found in Christ. As a Christian, no matter where Savannah is, her purpose is to lead others to Jesus.

Prayer: Dear God, set our hearts on you so that everything we do may be in your name and for your glory, in Jesus' name. Amen.