Have you ever had a theme day? Perhaps I should explain what I mean by “theme day”. A theme day is a day in which a similar set of circumstances continues to reoccur so that, even someone as unobservant as I, begins to see a pattern, and perhaps even a message.
Last week I had a theme day. It began with a call from my friend, Russ, in Ottawa. Russ used to attend Keele, but then he had to find a new church family as a result of relocating. It was great to hear from Russ and catch up with him. I left that conversation refreshed and encouraged.
Next was an email from a friend who used to attend Keele who now lives in Peterborough. Peter was studying in Mark and recalled that I had preached through Mark so he checked out our website and discovered our new sermon section. It was great to hear from Peter and I was deeply encouraged by the fact that he: 1) Remember that I once preached through Mark; and 2) was still interested enough in what I preached that he tried find it. But, what excited me most was that his tremendous hunger for the Word continues. There is no greater encouragement for a preacher than someone who understands the value of Scripture.
Moving on, that night, I ran into Yegor and Irena, they were a couple that used to also attend Keele. (Are you catching the theme here?) They now attend Churchill Meadows Christian Church. It had been a few years since we had talked to them and both Sheila and I enjoyed the opportunity to catch up with them. In the midst of our conversation, again, they both made some very encouraging comments about Keele and the impact our ministry had on them.
It seemed to me, as we drove home that night, that God had prompted all of these people to reconnect with me that day for no other reason than to give me a “spiritual hug”. Did I need a spiritual hug? Who doesn’t? When your life is spent trying to make a difference in people’s lives, it’s easy to either not see the results or to attribute them to something else. Often the failures of ministry are much more apparent than the successes. Many times we just don’t know what impact we have.
Well, for some reason, our Heavenly Father decided I needed to be reminded that He is working through me. I am grateful for that reminder because all I need to keep focussed and continue in ministry is the knowledge that, in some small way, I am being used by God to make a difference.
So, the question I leave with you is: Who do you need to email, call, Facebook, or visit so that you can let them know that they continue to have an impact on your life? Don’t think that I am trolling for more encouragement myself. I take my name off your list for the purpose of this exercise. Try to find someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Ideally it should be someone from your past, but it doesn’t have to be. Pray about it, and then follow through with the appropriate action.
All I know is that we often miss the opportunity to tell people how much they have changed our lives and that’s a shame. So do something about it and tell someone. Become a “spiritual hug” from God.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:15-17, NIV)
