God’s Special People Doing God’s Special Work
“The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the earth to be. . .His treasured possession” (Deuteronomy 7:6 NIV).
Some 25 years ago a minister was preparing to serve communion. After blessing the bread and the cup, the deacons began to usher the congregants to the altar to receive the elements. Near the end of the Eucharist a twenty year old woman wearing a very mini-skirt came down the center aisle to partake of the elements. As was the custom of those who could, she knelt. An audible gasp was heard throughout the gathered community. The following week at the board meeting the question of adopting a dress code for worship was discussed along with the thorny question of who would enforce it. It was noted by several at that meeting that the women were in favor of the adoption while the men were wholeheartedly opposed.
Question: Where do you suppose that congregation is today? Is it at the cutting edge of the faith? Is God’s special work being done?
Marvis moved from Colorado to Anaheim, California. As she drove past the Crystal Cathedral for the fiftieth time, she thought, “Someday soon I’m going there.” Unexpectedly, one Sunday she simply decided that today was the day. After worship she said to the lady next to her, “I’m so glad I came. Do you come here regularly?” The woman replied, “No, I’m from the Midwest. I’m here on a mission to find my birth mother.” Marvis responded compassionately, “I understand. Along time ago I gave up my little girl for adoption.” The conversation with greater depth continued. At length, the lady asked Marvis her daughter’s birthdate. “October 30.” The young woman replied, “That’s my birthday, too.” Soon it became evident that a mother and a daughter had found each other. The haunting give and take resumed around a number of questions: why did my Mother give me up? What happened to my daughter? Does one look for a needle in a haystack? The beginnings of a special relationship, long over due, began with that “chance” meeting after worship.
Question: Where do you suppose that mother and daughter are today? Are they at the cutting edge of the faith? Did their discovery come because God’s special people were doing God’s special work in a variety of widely separated places?
And with your life story, where are you? However mundane or passionate your adventure, where are you? Whether serving in a traditional church or worshipping in a contemporary one, where are you? Is the procedure at the Lord’s Supper or the relationships of God’s people primary?
Regardless of age, but considering your age, where is the cutting edge in terms of the walk of faith? How can Jesus convince you, touch you, nurture you to move from your present spot to the surprises at the edge where the special work of God and His people is on-going?
Resolve that humdrum will no longer be your hallmark. Let God-given faith be your theme.
Prayer: God, You have not called us to play it safe. Let Your wisdom stimulate our lives; let Your will permeate our lives; let Your love saturate our lives; let Your vision captivate our lives. . .until we are only, all for Thee. In the Name of Jesus Who saves and sends, Amen.
Chuck Kinyon
Retired AB Pastor
Milliken, CO
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