UNEXPECTED HERALDS

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Worship had just ended and he felt compelled to come forward.  He was amped up there was no question.  The time of worship had stirred him.  Unashamedly and unabashedly he pressed to the front of the room.  He wasn’t worried about the day’s agenda he wasn’t worried about perceptions potential retribution or anything else. 

He had been given a “Word” and he was ready to share it.

The story he shared was a familiar one; Shadrach Meshach and Abednego and their fiery furnace trial. 

But coming from his mouth the story was refreshed.  His vigor to remind all of the other men, our Refuge men, that the hope and promise contained in that story was for them.  That GOD will never leave us.  That GOD will STAND WITH us and NEXT to US when we are faced with the fires; the fire of past mistakes, the fire of challenging consequences, the fire of addictive behaviors, the fire of conflict and hurt.

He paced.

He welled up.

Almost like a tiger in a cage he paced back and forth but his message was being received.  Our Refuge men were engaged. Our Refuge men were being affirmed and encouraged and as I observed from the back I too was being moved by this young man who just weeks ago was bewildered in addiction and who now was carrying a FRESH and anointed message of GOD’S providence and faithfulness.

You know even the most familiar stories are made new and relevant when spoken from the mouth of one who is being stirred. And GOD’S messengers aren’t always the expected or the tried and true, but often the most unexpected of voices. 

And that speaks to the wonderfulness of GOD. 

It speaks to the preference of GOD to take the most unlikely of characters, a “real sinner” to bring the message of hope and possibility and make a new impact with an old story.

“God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners.” Kierkegaard

When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world.

The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ERV)

Sinners do become saints!

And former drug addicts and dealers become preachers.

Why share this little story?

Because GOD wants to use each of us in a special way. 

Maybe that is you today! 

He does. 

The question is that when that time arises, when we are given a “Word” for someone, when we are stirred to action, when a door of opportunity is opened for us to honor GOD and share His heart and message, will we like my brother be bold enough to press through the agenda’s, the fear of ridicule, the nervousness and uncertainty and share?  Will we like my brother not assume that our audience has “heard it all” before and trust GOD to “freshen” the message?

For remember GOD is always in the business of “freshening” the message!

I am doing a new thing! Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)

Piper said it this way…

“O that we would so love the gospel and have so much compassion for lost people that tribulation and distress and persecution would turn us not into fearful complainers, but bold heralds of good news.”

― John Piper

So are we, like my brother ready to be unexpected and wonderful heralds?

Are we?

I pray we are.

I love you all.

Be blessed.

Opportunities for Hope (Champions Charge)