"Background Blessings"
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If you've ever watched MacGyver, you've probably seen him use ordinary, every-day objects like scotch tape or paperclips to accomplish incredible tasks. Where most people would ignore these simple tools for such critical jobs, MacGyver has a way of seeing their usefulness!
We all have a story. And those stories can be a great blessing to us, even if they're blessings in disguise. So let's look at a few ways our backgrounds can be useful to us, no matter where we came from, in our walk with Christ today.
Blessings of a Worldly Background
Leaving a worldly upbringing can showcase God's transformative power in your life. What better way to show the world what true repentance looks like than for them to see a change in you? As Paul told the Corinthians, "... Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9–11).
You also become relatable to the world. Now you're able to use your background as a doorway for the gospel. Sharing your story helps you connect with the lost and make the most of each opportunity. Like Paul, who became "all things to all people" (1 Cor. 9:22), you can use your experiences to connect with others and hopefully save them.
Blessings of a Godly Background
Having come from a godly background, you're rooted firmly in faith. You have a support system able to keep you grounded in the truth. Like Timothy's mother and grandmother helped make him the man he was (2 Tim. 1:5-6), you're able to lean on your believing family and friends for support.
You're also equipped for the fight. Having witnessed the hard-fought battles for the faith throughout the years, you're armed to stand up for the truth in a variety of battlefronts as Paul told Timothy, "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses" (1 Tim. 6:12).
So what's your story? How can you use your past to serve him today? May we acknowledge the blessings of our backgrounds and look for new opportunities to strengthen his kingdom through our own unique experiences.
