Deeper Devotional

Read Romans 11:13; Galatians 2:8; Romans 1:5
Neil’s devotionals have been great this week – as always. I love the connections he’s made between Old Testament figures such as Esther and Joseph and the role they played to rescue the “lost.” The pattern is clear — Esther courageously stepped in to rescue a lost Israel, and Joseph did the same for Egypt. In each instance, they were active as God’s servants and so connected people headed for destruction with God’s saving power. Wow!

We are called to be the same kind of people . . . connecting those who are headed into eternity without Christ to God’s saving power and mercy. Those who know the Scriptures know this, and so we know that we’re called to be God’s Esthers and Josephs, stepping into the lives of those around us and connecting them to God’s salvation.

For those of us who care about those distant from God, the first question we almost always ask is “How?” “How do I reach people for Christ?” Great question . . . but still it may not be the first question. Maybe we should begin with this question . . . “Who?” “Who should I reach?”

Notice from today’s readings that Paul the Apostle had a very clear sense of those to whom he was called to reach with the Message of God’s redeeming love . . . the Gentiles. For us, we find the answer to the “Who?” question in a very simple exercise . . . The answer is to look around you. Start paying attention to the people God has already placed in your life. (Isn’t this exactly who Esther and Joseph responded to?) Your neighbor, workmate, or classmate, old friends or new friends . . . that person with whom you make a seemingly coincidental connection. If we believe in Providence — that God truly directs our steps — then people are not in our lives coincidentally. Why not assume that God has a purpose and begin to actively pray something like, “Lord, who are You calling me to minister to?”? I think you’ll find that God will start to call your attention to specific folks and that He will give you a heart for them.

Does it end here? Of course not! We believe in friendship with a purpose (I call it “spiritual friendship”), and in the several days we’ll talk about some of the “how to’s” of sharing your faith. But first of all, let’s begin with people. In a world of people rushing past each other, one thing remains true . . . people need the Lord.

“Father, I ask You to open my eyes. I see how Mordecai opened Esther’s eyes to the needs around her and the opportunities she had. Holy Spirit, be my Mordecai. Show me the situation of people apart from Christ. And show me, O Lord, who You would have me reach out to in the Name of Jesus Christ. I am Your servant. Thank You for including me in your plan to reach a world so desperately in need of Your redeeming love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

All right . . . who is God laying on your heart? Write their names out . . .

_____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

For now, just begin praying for them by name.