Story of Hope and Usefulness

“You will not pass the final exam with this handwriting.” said my teacher. I was in 10^th Standard sitting in the classroom with my classmates when my teacher said those words to me. I felt hopeless, clueless, and useless. I knew I have bad handwriting. I started to question “How in the world would I pass my exam if my teacher has no more hope in me because they know who can and who cannot make it as they are teaching us?”. For the first time in my 12 years (at that year) of schooling, I heard a teacher that told me I have no more hope. With this desperation, I paused for a moment as I went back home. I thought ‘what if I improve a little bit.’ I started to write a dozen of cursive writing. God is amazing. I passed the final exam that year.

After my 10th Standard, I joined college where I again found difficulties as my handwriting was still bad as before. I felt desperate at my handwriting, yet I never felt hopeless anymore because I realized that with the little positive ability I have, God would help me. God has led me thus far to who I am today. The prayers of my parents may have been delayed but not rejected. They were heard. They are answered. God is watching over and keeping the prayers for the right time.

Many of the young people today also find themselves hopeless not because they are but because someone else told them so. If anyone finds oneself hopeless because somebody said so, then he or she is wrong. God never creates waste. You and I, as a special creation of God, are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and He has a purpose not to harm but to prosper and to give us a future that we hope for (Jeremiah 29:11). We should never put ourselves down by taking the words of the world but stand firm in our faith and commitment because the LORD never forsakes nor leaves His children (Heb 13:5). He cares for each of us and He will take care of our future. Just be faithful and obedient to Him.

If one thinks of someone else as hopeless, make no mistake about this, because no one doesn’t have any business in somebody’s life. Instead, one has got to encourage and help others find hope and live his or her fuller life. God has called each one of us to love and to encourage one another in the love of Christ. Rebuke and correct one another but never look down on someone because no one knows what God has planned the future for each one of us. For “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). So, let us humble ourselves. Careful what we say about others. God is watching and so He will reward us accordingly.

The greatest people in the Bible whom God used were the ones considered hopeless, useless, and whose lives people considered weak. Moses protested that he was “heavy of mouth and heavy of tongue” yet God used him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. David was young and small, yet he defeated the mighty Goliath. Jeremiah was very young, yet God appointed him as a prophet. Peter denied Jesus three times yet he was given the power to heal and transformed many lives, Paul persecuted the church yet God transformed him and used him as a lead apostle. Timothy was young but he was entrusted to take care of a church. God has a perfect plan for each one of us. He can turn our weaknesses into great strengths. He can transform our failures to a grand victory. For we do not know what God has for you and me-let us remain humble ourselves in our approach towards others. Trust God; Commit your life to Him because He has pre-destined our future.

Brethren, it doesn’t matter what the world says about you, it doesn’t matter what people think about you, but the matter is how you respond to them. The world does not know what God has planned for you and me or for that matter we do not know the future of ourselves as well but at the same time, we don’t have to worry about that. Stay true to yourself. Stay committed to the Lord. Be humble and know that we are useful in the service of the Lord. Remember God uses imperfections to fulfill His perfect plan. Be faithful to Him.

May the LORD help us understand His will so that we will never give up but continue to live our lives with hope and faith in Him. Commit our ways unto the LORD; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass (Psalm 37:5)