Do not neglect your gift. (1 Tim. 4:14)
One Sunday morning before church, I asked God if there was anyone he wanted me to speak to specifically that day. I do this from time to time, and it often results in me writing a tailor-made note of encouragement to someone. This day, however, I felt that God wanted me to share a message with Bob, a member of our congregation—a message that dealt with a specific sin and temptation. I didn’t know whether Bob was actually dealing with this sin and temptation, but I wrote and handed him the note anyway. Minutes after reading it, he came after me to tell me that he was amazed; he had just been talking to the Lord that very morning about that very issue. I was able to encourage Bob and pray with him, and he recognized God’s amazing timing and care for him.
Pastoral ministry, or any form of ministry, is powerless without the Holy Spirit. God knows the needs of his people and how to meet them. He can unlock the doors of hard hearts. I’ve tried doing ministry based on my own talents and efforts. It’s exhausting and fruitless. But when the Spirit is in the lead, we can trust his timing. We can work, then rest. We can listen before we speak. Even though we get busy with our responsibilities, it’s vital to follow the Holy Spirit.
Ask God whom he wants you to share his love with today.
Jarod Osborne is lead pastor of Pathway Church, in Warsaw, Indiana. He is the author of Jaded Faith (WPH).
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
