Building One Another
GOD'S OPENINGS Vol 8 No 46
December 8, 2009
Dear Friend,
I dropped into my favorite bread and coffee shop. Before I could order, the manager told me that earlier in the day she noticed a young man standing near the counter.
She kept thinking, “I know him from somewhere!” It turned out he had worked for her four years ago in another town. He said, “It has been very difficult to find you. I just want to say that you have changed my life!”
When he was experiencing a particularly low moment, she had taken him aside, encouraged him to embrace the good Lord Jesus and prayed for him.
After she told me her story and before I managed to get a “Wow!” out of my mouth, she said, “This is my calling – to work with the young people who come here!” She gets it! Every person our Lord puts in front of us – in front of you or me - is God’s opening for the ministry of encouragement.
For some it is an opening to “offer staying power in the alarm moments of other people’s lives” (Oswald Chambers). For others it is offering a word of faith and encouragement to formally embrace Jesus as Lord and follow him.
During these busy days you will be face to face with many people, some in pleasant situations and others troubling. You may live or work with some of them. You may bump into in all sorts of situations as you live your life.
As the Apostle Paul wrote from prison (which tells us God’s openings for ministry may happen anywhere), “At the same time pray for us as well that God will open a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ.” Colossians 4:3*
With joy - E. Stanley Ott
Copyright 2009 E.
*Scripture from the NRSV