CBM Intern – All the Right Pieces

By CBM National intern, –  Jordan Mancari

If you were to meet me today, you’d probably say some things like this: “He’s a nice guy. He is very open to meeting new people, and willing to step out.” However, it wasn’t always like that.

When I was in high school, and even somewhat in college, I was that kid who sat in the back row, and could honestly care less about what anyone thought about me. I was what you would call a “shy guy.” If you weren’t going to take the time to get to know me, then I definitely wasn’t going to waste my time getting to know you.

Thankfully, all this changed after my first year of college. It was during that year that I got very actively involved with Cru (Campus Crusade for Christ), and at that end of that year I went on my first mission trip to Gatlinburg, TN. When I first got there, I still had set in my mind that none of these people cared and they didn’t want to get to know me, so why waste my time. Then one day, everyone was hanging out and a couple of my close friends that were on the mission trip with me came into my room, and told me something like this, “Jordan, these people truly care about you and want to get to know you.” It was in that exact moment I felt God tell me to get to know people because it was for my better good. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Although, at the given moment I had no idea what plans God had for me, I knew He would use this opportunity to help me grow closer to Him.

So long story short, I saw God break the shell that I was trying to hide myself in, of not caring about what others thought about me, and simply not caring about others. Over the years I’ve seen God shape me into the person I am today, a person who genuinely cares about others, regardless of what they think of me. I thank God so much for that because it is such an important part of my ministry as a CBM National Intern, where I encounter many different people daily, and have the opportunity to minister to kids all around the U.S., and even a chance to minister internationally this August. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path.” Once I started seeking God in everything I did and started caring about others,  I saw God begin to take the various pieces of my life and shape me into the person I am today.

Matthew 6:10 says, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” I want to see God’s kingdom come, in order that His will be done, and I can honestly say, had He not broken my shell and put the pieces together that He knew belonged in my life, I wouldn’t be able to see that happen on a daily basis. I’d still be that “shy guy” sitting in the back row, not caring about myself or anyone else.

Remember, no matter how hard it might be for to allow God to break the shell you’re trying to hide in, He will take and use it to glorify His name. I leave you with this last verse, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I thank God daily that He allows for His will to be done in my life, no matter the circumstance.

Edited by: CBM National

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