6-30-25<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frequently in these thoughts I share I ask readers to \u201cstick with me\u201d as I unpack a point. Here I will ask you to do the opposite, in a manner of speaking \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u201ccall\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Too many people \u2013 yes, including Christians \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/em>Sure, it sometimes seems uncomfortable\u2026 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well\u2026 (following a \u201creverse\u201d thread of Gospel-logic) What\u2019s keeping us? There are many prisons in this country, and many prison ministries. My son-in-law\u2019s father in Northern Ireland worked for Chuck Colson\u2019s 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\u2019t need to cross the Atlantic Ocean to visit prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stick with me! (following that \u201creverse\u201d 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\u2026 we know. Of addictions? \u2026if 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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, we are all prisoners, and iron bars do not a prison make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Which means (continuing to follow the \u201creverse\u201d thread of Gospel-logic) that we already have a \u201ccall\u201d from God. People are all around you \u2013 not only in county jails or foreign countries \u2013 people needing a Word from God\u2026 a word from you<\/em>. Ah, you don\u2019t know what to say? Oswald reminded us that God writes that script; the Holy Spirit will bring to your mind and the person\u2019s ears what will bless them. Maybe it\u2019s a Bible verse; maybe it\u2019s a prayer; maybe it\u2019s a smile. Mickey remembered that Disciples were sent out even when they had only partial knowledge of the Holy Spirit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n But \u201cgo.\u201d Plant a seed. Be a Disciple \u2013 however you reach out, do it in Jesus\u2019s name. \u201cBe\u201d Jesus to someone. More Oswald-type messages: You might be the only Jesus someone meets<\/em>. And if you are uncomfortable \u201cpreaching\u201d \u2013 Share the Gospel with someone. If necessary, use words.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some time ago \u2013 or, maybe, some time in the near future \u2013 someone shared the love of Jesus with you. Maybe \u201cprofessionally,\u201d maybe as a nervous vessel heeding God\u2019s call; in any event, the Holy Spirit speaking through someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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: \u201cCan I just remind you that Jesus loves you?\u201d Whoever hears such words, whether \u201chungering\u201d or hostile to the Gospel\u2026 has had a seed planted. Maybe soon, or maybe in Heaven, we will see the amazing garden \u2013 or maybe a virtual redwood forest \u2013 of such seeds, sprouted and grown! + + +<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We will then Look Back and see what prayer can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n