I grew up in a home that cherished music. That's one of the reasons I love it so much today. It was during this time that I was introduced to Ron Kenoly and his lively praise and worship band and choir. The line from one of his songs says, "If you can use anything, Lord, You can use me."
As a child, I sang it with such joyful exuberance. But I did not know that in the years to come, I would endure battles with insecurity, low self-esteem and low self-confidence that made me feel unusable, even by the Lord. But thanks be to God, my story continues to play out, and it does not end there.
Do you have a similar story? I know of an air freshener who does.
An aromatherapist walked into a musty room, and found one of her inventions, a tiny glass refillable air freshener in the corner.
“This is odd,” she mused, “this little guy wasn’t meant to be alone.”
She stooped down to the floor and asked, “Why are you here by yourself?”
The small air freshener was so dejected. “Who would want a fragile glass bottle like me? I have this silly plastic cap on my head and every time I walk, this pale yellow liquid inside of me jiggles. I’m useless.”
With the most understanding eyes, the aromatherapist said, “I do.”
“I designed you, just the way you are. I made you with a distinct purpose--but you won't find it by hiding away and staying by yourself."
She lifted the air freshener and carried him to a plug-in that was inserted into the wall. Gently removing the cap, she fitted him into a small space under the plug-in that was perfectly made for him.
The connection was electric! He felt something inside of him that he never felt before. The energy source surged through the plug and warmed the glass. The aromatherapist was right. Why was he by himself for so long? The room was slowly perfumed with the scent that he carried. “Wow!” He exclaimed. “What is that amazing smell?”
The aromatherapist smiled, “Unity.”
Insecurities can keep us in hiding and lie to us that we are useless. They sabotage relationships and make us run from others, even though it is in community that we see our purpose shine out most. God longs to use us, but He doesn't use "stand-alones." He wants us to celebrate who we are, and who others are too.
Greater than our insecurities, there are musty rooms around us to sweeten, and we must do so together.
Kerry-Ann McPherson
Project Manager and Managing Editor, VBD Magazine
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