I am seeing traction in every place that God has put me in the past year.
Interactions of people whom I never considered if they knew each other, they
are coming together, and many in the name of Jesus.
Take for instance, at the bank, there is a row of cheerful faces, or authentic ones, and they are always helpful and fast in transactions. Well, there was one person I wondered about, but I never really met. (Keep this banker in your mind for now.)
Next, there was two-year, intermittent span of going to a local Christian store, where a woman was helpful and nameless for most of that time, but in the past 8 months I have met her, talked with her about Scripture, and (well, keep store manager in mind for now)
Next, there was my true battle of going to church. I mean, I wanted to go... I needed to, but I did not sense the involvement or interest, and so I decided on working on Sundays. (Now, this is a prayer request, because I need a sabbath day for resting in the Lord and worshiping with others. But regardless of how you feel, my decision led me away from Church A).
Well, it was after work one day when I heard the radio play "it is good to praise the Lord," so I decided-- was compelled, even-- to find a church to fellowship for Sunday evening. WEll... I did!
My heart leaped with joy as I eagerly yet quietly walked past a series of stained glass windows,
and I entered into His presence-- as well as their fellowship. Admittedly, I was shy and a recluse on day 1.
However, by day 10, I was singing with the choir, opening up to the pastor, and even being encouraged in my heart to rejoin my commitment to church A.
So, what do all these things have in common?
Well, multiple points of contact.
The pastor of Church B has the same vigor for prayer and outreach as church A; he of a different theology is preaching/teaching the same theological matters, however. More than Church A is "supposed to."
Not surprising, he has/had friends in that church. (1 barrier removed)
I was not involved, now I see men approach me asking how to pray for me in Church B.
While women ask to pray for me in Church A. The choir in B allows for me to vent and sing praise with others.
(2nd Barrier removed)
Remember how I wandered into the church? Well, that night I saw the bookstore lady singing.
(Another barrier removed) and just last night, as I prayed with a man about my friend up north,
the woman from the bank was found standing two rows behind me. (Another barrier removed)
And work? Well, that is the mission field that allows me to put into practice what God teaches through the two pastors of differing theological backgrounds. It also has shown me the crossroads of this community... it is not the build, but it is the gathering of a diverse bunch. (local opportunity to grow, share, and learn in real-world experience: another barrier down)
And my friend from further north, she is on my heart about how she can help add traction to these relationships and needs represented. So then,
I am praising God for seen traction, and grace at work.
While the details are his to know, I am grateful for seeing how they are working together.
To God be the glory, even when we cannot see, in Jesus' name
amen!
Interactions of people whom I never considered if they knew each other, they
are coming together, and many in the name of Jesus.
Take for instance, at the bank, there is a row of cheerful faces, or authentic ones, and they are always helpful and fast in transactions. Well, there was one person I wondered about, but I never really met. (Keep this banker in your mind for now.)
Next, there was two-year, intermittent span of going to a local Christian store, where a woman was helpful and nameless for most of that time, but in the past 8 months I have met her, talked with her about Scripture, and (well, keep store manager in mind for now)
Next, there was my true battle of going to church. I mean, I wanted to go... I needed to, but I did not sense the involvement or interest, and so I decided on working on Sundays. (Now, this is a prayer request, because I need a sabbath day for resting in the Lord and worshiping with others. But regardless of how you feel, my decision led me away from Church A).
Well, it was after work one day when I heard the radio play "it is good to praise the Lord," so I decided-- was compelled, even-- to find a church to fellowship for Sunday evening. WEll... I did!
My heart leaped with joy as I eagerly yet quietly walked past a series of stained glass windows,
and I entered into His presence-- as well as their fellowship. Admittedly, I was shy and a recluse on day 1.
However, by day 10, I was singing with the choir, opening up to the pastor, and even being encouraged in my heart to rejoin my commitment to church A.
So, what do all these things have in common?
Well, multiple points of contact.
The pastor of Church B has the same vigor for prayer and outreach as church A; he of a different theology is preaching/teaching the same theological matters, however. More than Church A is "supposed to."
Not surprising, he has/had friends in that church. (1 barrier removed)
I was not involved, now I see men approach me asking how to pray for me in Church B.
While women ask to pray for me in Church A. The choir in B allows for me to vent and sing praise with others.
(2nd Barrier removed)
Remember how I wandered into the church? Well, that night I saw the bookstore lady singing.
(Another barrier removed) and just last night, as I prayed with a man about my friend up north,
the woman from the bank was found standing two rows behind me. (Another barrier removed)
And work? Well, that is the mission field that allows me to put into practice what God teaches through the two pastors of differing theological backgrounds. It also has shown me the crossroads of this community... it is not the build, but it is the gathering of a diverse bunch. (local opportunity to grow, share, and learn in real-world experience: another barrier down)
And my friend from further north, she is on my heart about how she can help add traction to these relationships and needs represented. So then,
I am praising God for seen traction, and grace at work.
While the details are his to know, I am grateful for seeing how they are working together.
To God be the glory, even when we cannot see, in Jesus' name
amen!
