As I worked at each knot, the Lord began to speak to me about His will for my life. It is undeniable that at some point in time, necklaces shoved into a jewelry box will become knotted. They will not “un-knot” themselves; someone will have to intervene, action will need to be taken, and they will have to be stored a different way to avoid the same thing happening again.
I was reminded of the young man I had prayed with that previous Sunday. I did not know what he was facing, but I knew it was potentially devastating. In his eyes, I could see fear and remorse. I told him that no matter what had happened up to this point, God can, will, and does forgive those who ask for forgiveness. He will not remove us from situations, but He will always walk with us. Just like the necklace, his life was a tangled mess and I do not think he could see the end from the beginning. I wondered if anyone had ever expressed to him that he was loved and valuable in the eyes of the Lord? How many other lives were intermingled with his because of his decisions? How long would this process take for him and what happens when it is all over?
Just as we have the power to cause harm to others, we also have the power to heal thru sharing Christ. My words to him were not hollow or empty, but filled with genuine hope and promise. As he left, I could see that part of his burden had been lifted. Why? Because he knew that he was not alone!
What a privilege it is to be involved in the gnarled chaos of others lives! As women in ministry, this is a heavy burden, yet one of the most rewarding! Our intervention as representatives of Jesus is crucial for those who are in despair. Be encouraged that your words, spoken in love and kindness, will be used of the Lord regardless of how tired or burdened you become. No matter how God instructs you, He will give you the energy, drive, and time to complete it. You DO make a difference!
The storing process of those untangled necklaces and lives can be extremely overwhelming at first. Just where are we going to put them?! Once again, the answer comes from the Father. He knows just where to store that gem and how to showcase it.
Find rest in the fact that you do not have to have all the answers because Jesus does.
So, open up that jewelry box! Do not be afraid to untangle the most knotted necklace you can find. Once your task is complete, you will be able to realize that you had a small part in that beautiful piece of jewelry. Go ahead, grab that straight pin and dive in!
