I AM... Missionary

After writing yesterday's prayer, early in the morning before work, I took a quick break to check social media before performing the one or two finally elements so I could publish the prayer. Sadly, first in the news feed, as the update that a friend of the family, a man who played on the worship team with me mom in the church our family attended since I was just a little tyke, had passed away, either late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

The body of Christ has lost another giant of the faith.

I spent most of the day in reflection... from what I can recall from childhood memories, I want to say that he was born blind. If I'm remember wrong, then he lost his sight early in life, as it seems he and his wife were newlyweds when we met them. At any rate... Doug had an incredible outlook on life. Always upbeat for as long as I can recall. He was a guy you enjoyed talking with, possessed an incredible love for the things of God and was a talented guitar player to boot!

I hadn't seen them in recent years, except to keep in touch on occasion with social media. His battle with cancer went downhill fast over the past few weeks and our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and son.

Thus, I thought much about his life. And on this #missionsFriday, I concluded the following:

We are all missionaries.

A point of confession... for whatever reason, I am not outspoken when it comes to witnessing. For any number of reasons, as years have passed... perhaps its the perception of witnessing. At work or in life, most people knew (or know) I am a Christian, either through my lifestyle or activities or conversations along the way. I've shared matters of faith and life with those who aren't saved, but rarely, would I consider those moments straight-up "witnessing" moment. If anything, they were more like planting seeds.

As I thought about this, it struck me odd. Not knowing what to do about it, how to handle it or what I could do to change it, as even the job I have now, doesn't permit extended periods of time to chat throughout the day of anything of substance in the passing of literally just a couple of minutes. In an unusual turn, I had about 30 minutes yesterday to work with a man and have a conversation.

I told him of the accidents in the past few weeks, as I shared yesterday. Eventually, shared the passing of Doug. As he replied on what a crummy run of events, God dropped that this was a moment. So the conversation turned... as an opportunity to be thankful of the assurance of seeing Doug again. Of being able to go through life's events confident God has a plan and a purpose. A few moments later, he asked if I was a Christian or a Catholic.

And there was the door opening even wider. As our time came to a close, he shared how his parents attended church and what not, yet a few years later had gotten divorced. The two events seemed contradictory and had therefore, thrown him off when it came to faith and the church. In the end though, I extended an invitation for him to come out and visit our church some Sunday.

I couldn't help but smile as I drove off... thankful for the moment. Thankful to be able to share Doug's life. Never bitter towards God regarding his blindness and his lot in life. Never hindered by his blindness to achieve and accomplish things in this life and for the kingdom of God. Just an incredible guy and an incredible legacy.

A gentle, loving reminder... that whoever you are and whatever you have; a willingness to be used by God gives Him opportunities to open doors and make everything work. Perhaps these recent events and the passing of Doug; maybe... just maybe, my perspective to continue to trust God in all things and to share the same will be the catalyst that prompts Matt to consider a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Pray, this #missionsFriday, that as we go through this life, we will remember and approach our days with the understanding, that we are all missions. May we not be so concerned with our willingness to go to Africa or the Dominican Republic (as grateful as I am for my friends who are in both countries), but concerned with our willingness to be used right where we are. Pray we hold fast to the faith; confident in God's ability to work the details and circumstances of our lives for His glory and honor. May we be as Doug; refusing to be bitter and hindered by the setbacks of life, pressing ever closer to God and walking ever further to accomplish what God has in store for our lives. Pray, God would use the circumstances we don't understand (whether it's Matt in needing to come to Christ for himself or Doug's family and friends in response to his passing), that God would be glorified. May such moments be instruments to reveal the truth of God's love and His Word; that faith would arise and be strengthened anew, by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within each and every one of us.

People need Jesus.
Across the globe.
Across the street.
Across the hall.
For we all have a story to tell;
The story of Christ at work in our lives.
For the glory of God and the cause of Jesus Christ.

- PNC

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