CFC Features | Sierra Wood

Sierra Wood  |  CFC Features & News

When I was little I knew that I was destined for greatness. I dreamt of playing cello on Broadway, becoming a world-famous ballerina, or finding the cure to a terrible disease. The specifics were unclear, but something inside of me was certain that my future would hold great things. As time went on, I realized that musical performances made me sick to my stomach, dancing was not my forte, and that science was my worst subject. Yet, the longing for greatness remained. I can feel it throbbing in my chest and spilling out into my prayers, “Lord, make me great. Use me in extraordinary ways.”

Is it okay to pray such a prayer?

As my understanding of greatness is changing, I’m realizing that it is not only okay, but it is a God-instilled longing, as well as a commission for every believer. “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). He is calling us to awaken from lives of mediocrity, apathy, and indifference- and to shine for the world to see SO THAT all may glorify Him. We are called to be great, not for greatness sake, nor for our own gain, but for the glory of our God, because He is great. He is glorified when we are living lives of impact, significance, and influence.

When asked by his disciples how to become great, Jesus did not rebuke them for their aspiration, rather, He redirected their understanding of greatness. He says, “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Greatness by God’s definition is humility. This does not necessarily correlate with low spotlight, as Jesus himself demonstrated. Rather, humility comes from an awareness of the source of our strength. We each have unique gifts, but it is not our own ability that brings us into a place of influence, but by His power and His strength.

My heart is burning to impact people for eternity. I’m not performing on stage, and I’m certainly not in the medical field, but this concept of greatness has led me to where I am today- a 25-year-old in Lancaster, planning on starting a coffee shop in hopes of bringing God glory. I recently founded Meraki Mocha, a farm-to-table café focused on empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by offering meaningful employment while in an inclusive environment. Our business focuses on selling wholesale coffee, catering services, and a (soon-to-be!) café. Statistics show that 82% of people with developmental disabilities are unemployed, yet 74% of them want to be working. I have a friend, Jessica, who has Down Syndrome. She works 35 hours/week, but only gets paid 4 cents/hour. It is frustrating to see people who are capable, talented, and hard-working, not receiving the same pay or recognition as others, simply because of a label they have been given.

Meraki Mocha was created to address these concerns, as I am certain that God views these people as having great value. If God has called us to serve and praise Him with all that we are, I am confident that He has done the same for our brothers and sisters in Christ with disabilities! While it is great that churches have ministries focusing on how we can serve those with disabilities, I think ministry should also be alongside people with disabilities. Together, we will encourage and equip one another into every good work to respond to God’s call on our lives! We can all give and we can all receive. Our business model strives to show every single customer this truth, and we plan on doing that by serving some pretty great coffee! I have learned that business can be used for the glory of God and our daily actions can help impact eternity.

I encourage you, do not settle or live anything less than a life of significance. Sometimes the best way to “change the world” is to live extraordinarily in what looks like an ordinary existence- to radically love and serve those around you every day, no matter where you are. With a constant to-do list, remember that it starts and ends with abiding in Him, and obeying Him every step along the way.

I invite you to follow me on my journey of Meraki Mocha www.merakimocha.com, and feel free to follow us on social media (Facebook & Instagram), or share our vision with others. If interested in what I am doing, I would love to talk with you! swood@merakimocha.com

Sierra Wood | Guest Contributor