What are you doing? In His Word 5-23-23
Recently on a trip. At first I did not want to go because I thought it was going to be a waste of time having just fun in the sun and not doing anything useful, but then I joined a group of Bible Study that was
full of people from may walks of life and many different churches or beliefs
that all lined up with the Word of God and Truth.
First let me say that it had been a while since I had been
in a mixed communication group of people, not since the way life had been with the shut down of
2020 we have lived a bit of a segregated life. Okay now, don’t be thinking in
race, I mean segregated as in my little bubble of the world. I go to my church,
I go to theater stuff with my hubby and that is pretty much it. These are
multicultural places, but they are each pretty much the same all the time as their groups
lead. I attend my church, my small groups, Bible classes, I do my writing, I do My Little
Retreats, but these are pretty much in the same view of the Word of God and how
He will use me.
The newness for me was that God reminded me how each of us
has different callings. There was a couple of ladies there who spent their whole
trip sharing the Gospel message with passengers! Another who was not just a missionary but
also a speaker writer for a popular Bible app online. There was a man in a wheelchair
who spoke to people even when he did not speak via his hat and shirts. There
was a lady who had hundreds of ‘tracks’ with her to give out wherever she went and
she offered them up to us to hand out as well.
There were people who have worked with Billy Graham, Franklin Graham,
and other famous people and all together in this little Bible Study group that
came together in a mismatched group of believers seeking others who wanted to
study.
On one of the days, I
was overwhelmed with the presence of the Lord, I teared up, as I realized how
God was showing me these people for a reason. He had a plan in this trip I took
with my husband. I should have mentioned I was reluctant to go on it because it
seemed a worldly trip, full of just fun and no way could God have a plan. But he
did.
In this group of people, I was reminded that not only are we
all the temple of God but so many groups are out there trying to get the Word
out and we all have different ways of doing so. There is no right way, as long as
it is God’s way.
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of
God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?
1 Corinthians 3:16
One of the best days on this trip was a hike to church in a tiny town barely approachable by much more than air and sea. We walked a mile to attend a wonderful church full of friendly believers serving God. Worship was awesome, the study sermon was great, and the people were really sweet! I wanted to move there I felt so at home.
I started my trip selfishly thinking it was all about fun
and games, but as we progressed we shared with others little bits of God’s
love, kindness and joy. We found little ways to reach the hearts and minds of
people who like me, had not thought God would be there on a trip of such fun.
But why not? Can’t God reach us where we are?
Yes He can and yes He does. Look at Jesus, He called each of His
disciples as they were, and He told them to leave their nets and follow Him.
Jesus did not just teach in a temple. He
also did not teach us to have us keep in in our small groups but to expand it
out to the highways and by ways even to the end of the earth. That same Spirit
in Jesus is in us and can reach out even in the darkest night to give you
peace.
He will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him. Isaiah 26:3
So next time I want to go on a trip, I will not allow myself
to feel guilt because I can have fun, but instead I will remember that while
having fun I can find people who not only serve but need to be served. I can
find a way to reach out to the unbeliever in a place they would least expect
it! So can you!
Today lets challenge ourselves, let’s see how we can share God’s Word, God’s
love and the way to Jesus with someone out there. Even if it is just sharing
what God has done for you today share with someone out there you normally would
not.
Maybe its even another believer you are sharing with, giving
them or receiving a different perspective as to how to share the Gospel, or the
Good News, is effective ministry! In the
mean time, Seek God, ask Him what He wants you to do today to be Jesus to those
around you.
In His Love,
Teresa Wilson