Friends in Christ Message for February 23, 2001

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Friends in Christ Weekly Message
February 23, 2001

God has been kind enough to trust us with this work. That's why we never give up.
2 Corinthians 4:1 (CEV*)

When a small handful of us began the Friends in Christ ministry, we didn't really know what we were doing. We had never done anything like this before. We didn't have seminary educations.

What we did have was a sense of God's leading in this ministry. God was kind enough to trust us with this work.

We have found this a very humbling experience. We couldn't rely on our professional training or any prior similar experiences. Knowing that we could not do it in our own power, we understood that we needed to rely on the One who had entrusted us with this ministry. Otherwise, we would fall flat on our faces.

It is an honor to be trusted with a ministry of God's. Despite the many difficulties and discouragements, we have seen God's faithfulness in action. We feel God's spirit among us when we gather, and we see lives transformed. It's not because we are so good or capable that we never give up; it's a response to God's unfailing love and faithfulness.

This ministry is much smaller than Paul's. But I think I really understand what Paul was saying here. He was "the least important of all God's people" (Ephesians 3:8, CEV*), but God nevertheless chose him to play a key role in the development of Christianity.

Has God entrusted you with some of His work? If you are a follower of Jesus, I believe he has, no matter how small the work may seem to be - perhaps "just" being an example of the Christian life to those with whom you come in contact. Consider God's kindness in so trusting you, and never give up.

Bill Samuel