Monday Morning Music Ministry

6-30-25

Frequently in these thoughts I share I ask readers to “stick with me” as I unpack a point. Here I will ask you to do the opposite, in a manner of speaking – to work backward from a valuable lesson to the germ, an essential message of Scripture. Many of the things that God wants us to know and apply in our situations actually grow from a single truth that we can call upon in multiple moments.

In devotions with my wife this morning she shared the (inevitable) wisdom of Oswald Chambers. He made the point that none of us really choose to be a worker for God: He chooses us. And He places the “call” on our lives, or for one episode or encounter. In my (inevitable) reference to Theodore Roosevelt, he observed that it matters less that we carry out a task at all, but only whether we do so well or badly.

Too many people – yes, including Christians – choose to reject the calls from God by simply ignoring them. This is not deflection rather an offense to the Holy Spirit, who was sent to be our consciences, to inspire us, to spur us forward.

Chambers makes the point that we must preach, not only share, the Gospel. What you are to preach is determined by God, not by your own natural leanings or desires. Sure, it sometimes seems uncomfortable… until you proceed to do it. Then Mickey and I shared how we would like to participate in a prison ministry some time, to be in a rubber-meets-the-road situation, praying with people whose souls need comfort, or whose lives need the Saving message of Jesus.

Well… (following a “reverse” thread of Gospel-logic) What’s keeping us? There are many prisons in this country, and many prison ministries. My son-in-law’s father in Northern Ireland worked for Chuck Colson’s Prison Fellowship and had mighty stories of his decades of service. He died within the past year, and I missed the opportunity to join him on a trip. But. I don’t need to cross the Atlantic Ocean to visit prisoners.

Stick with me! (following that “reverse” thread of Gospel-logic) Do we really need to visit a prison to interact with prisoners? Gospel-logic and Biblical-vocabulary tell us to recognize that we are all prisoners, in a way. Of sin… we know. Of addictions? …if you have battled, you have been in virtual prisons. Of financial distress, of relational challenges, of family crises? How often have you felt confined or hemmed in or not free to act as you wish?

Yes, we are all prisoners, and iron bars do not a prison make.

Which means (continuing to follow the “reverse” thread of Gospel-logic) that we already have a “call” from God. People are all around you – not only in county jails or foreign countries – people needing a Word from God… a word from you. Ah, you don’t know what to say? Oswald reminded us that God writes that script; the Holy Spirit will bring to your mind and the person’s ears what will bless them. Maybe it’s a Bible verse; maybe it’s a prayer; maybe it’s a smile. Mickey remembered that Disciples were sent out even when they had only partial knowledge of the Holy Spirit!

But “go.” Plant a seed. Be a Disciple – however you reach out, do it in Jesus’s name. “Be” Jesus to someone. More Oswald-type messages: You might be the only Jesus someone meets. And if you are uncomfortable “preaching” – Share the Gospel with someone. If necessary, use words.

Some time ago – or, maybe, some time in the near future – someone shared the love of Jesus with you. Maybe “professionally,” maybe as a nervous vessel heeding God’s call; in any event, the Holy Spirit speaking through someone.

I love the way that Norman McCorkell in Northern Ireland, when circumstances interfered with a prayer or preaching or a full chat, would simply say good-bye this way: “Can I just remind you that Jesus loves you?” Whoever hears such words, whether “hungering” or hostile to the Gospel… has had a seed planted. Maybe soon, or maybe in Heaven, we will see the amazing garden – or maybe a virtual redwood forest – of such seeds, sprouted and grown!

We will then Look Back and see what prayer can do.

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