And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
~Galatians 6:9-10
I met someone at church not long ago who was visiting our campus. He was standing around looking lost, so I asked him if I could help him find something or someone. He said he was trying to find the guy who invited him to church. We’ll call that inviter guy “Mark”—because, well, that’s his name. I told this man (we’ll call him “Chris”—I don’t remember his actual name) that I just saw Mark, and then I asked someone else who was walking by to go get him. In the meantime, I asked Chris how he knew Mark…this is where the story gets interesting.
Chris proceeded to tell me that he met Mark earlier that week. At a car accident. Um, their accident. Where Chris’s car hit Mark’s car. And, as they waiting for the police to arrive to the scene, Mark started a conversation with Chris about Jesus. Although I’m not aware of the exact conversation details, Chris said that Mark invited him to church (because Chris did not have a relationship with Jesus and did not attend any church). [In fact, I think that Mark may have even forfeited making a report about the accident in exchange for Chris agreeing to come to church.] I stood there, jaw agape, as I listened to Chris tell me this story. As usual, our pastor had been slinging the gospel that morning, so I asked Chris what he thought of the sermon. He said, “It was interesting—he is a great speaker.” When I asked if he’d come back again, he answered in the affirmative…I hope he did.
Once we found Mark, I handed Chris off to him—but not before I gave Mark a huge (and tearful) hug of appreciation and awe. And every time I share this story, I’m equally as astounded by Mark’s love of people and the gospel.
But it’s not just Mark. The following week—just before our church’s massive beach baptism—I met a couple standing at the door between services. Again, they seemed to be waiting or seeking something/someone. When I started a conversation with them, they told me they were waiting for someone who was attending the post-service Baptism class. “Oh! That’s awesome,” I replied. “Who is it?” What the wife (we’ll call her “Susan”) shared absolutely floored me.
See, Susan drives an Uber. And earlier that week she picked up a couple of teenage boys to take them to school—who knew that was a thing. During the drive, Susan spoke to the boys about Jesus and invited them to church, giving them her phone number to reach out if they’d like to go. Well, on Saturday, one of the boys (age 16) called Susan, asking if she could pick him up on Sunday and take him to church with her and her husband. They did—with joy. But the greatest joy? That young man gave his life to Jesus during that church service…and decided to take his next step of faith immediately by going to baptism class in preparation of beach baptism the following week.
Honestly, I am privileged to experience this literally each Sunday as I speak with individuals of every name-a-category. These people who seem to be asking God, “Lord, show me where can I join You in Your work today.” Oh, friend, this is how God grows His Kingdom—through us! We plant, water, cultivate—He brings the fruitful harvest. It’s not up to us to “close every deal”—although sometimes we do get that joy! We are simply to look for opportunities to show and share the love of Jesus. And, what continues to amaze me, beloved, is when we ASK and when we LOOK, opportunities abound. Even in the aftermath of a car wreck or while driving an Uber to pay the bills.
God is on the move here where I live—and He’s on the move wherever you are. Beloved, let’s greet each morning with this incredibly powerful, eternity-changing prayer:
Lord, where can I join You in Your work today? Show me where—and with whom—You want me to shine Your light, extend an invitation to church or share the Good News of Jesus.
encouraged by grace 