“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1)
It is a privilege to have the abiding Spirit with us to guide us into God’s purposes. This is especially true when we are given the occasion to praise God in sharing His love with the lost. It is the eternal work God is accomplishing in the here and now which will have an impact for all eternity. Fortunate I was, to be given such an opportunity.
When I was leaving an exercise class, a girl approached my car, and asked me where the court house was. “At least five miles away”, I responded. Urgency rang in her voice as she explained her immediate need to get there. Usually I am reluctant to give rides to strangers, yet I felt an inner prompting to give her a ride. Apparently, she received a ticket for speeding, going ninety-five on the freeway. Unable to pay the fine, she accumulated some penalties, and her driver’s license was revoked. In the past year she’d been working on saving to settle the account with the court. Together we walked into the court house where she had an appointment. While we waited, she started sharing how her mom and dad were ill in a convalescent home, and she was left to make all the decisions alone. The conversation shifted to spiritual things…I shared about how much God loved her and if she would call out to Him, He would draw near to her. I shared how He would supply her needs. Believe in Jesus, was my appeal. We exchanged a few more words then after a while I bid her good-bye. Handing her my phone number, I told her when she finished, to call me and I’d take her back to the train station near where we met.
When I arrived home, I pulled out a small New Testament Bible and wrote, “Jesus has the answers to life. It was a divine appointment that our paths have crossed.” After signing it, I tucked the Bible into my purse. Between receiving her called and dropping her off at the train station, I gave her the Bible which she willingly received. On my way home, I sent a petition that God would give her a yearning to draw close to Him. We never know how God will use our day to reach out to another. I don’t know if I will ever see her again this side of heaven, but I felt a sense of peace as God’s instrument to share the love of Jesus.
“Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” (2)
What great rewards of joy is reaped by sharing God’s love seeds; whether reaping or sowing we can greatly rejoice knowing our labor for the Lord are not in vain. Now I need to ask, will you go to tell those bound for hell that Jesus loves them?
Lord, help us to be opened to sharing the gospel where you place us. Thank You for the privilege to share in Your kingdom purposes. In this you’ve given us a wonderful purpose. Amen.
Footnotes:
1. 1 Corinthians 15:58 rsv
2. John 4:36 nas
Addressing Crisis Together Ministry 