Can I Trust You?
As I was coming in to work the other morning, I was thinking about how much I probably miss every day because I don’t focus on responding like I am right now. It seems the more willing and available I intentionally make myself, the more God trusts me to do. It’s almost like He’s saying, “I have kingdom work to do, let’s see, who can I trust with it? If I prompt John, will he have the ears to hear and the will to respond?”
So I told the Lord, “I want to experience the thrill of helping someone find You. I know there are people in my life who don’t clearly understand Your grace and love, I want to help someone find faith—there’s no better way to live! If You’ll lead me to someone You know is ready, I’ll tell them what I know about Your grace and goodness and explain how they can put their trust in You.”
Later that morning, I’m in a meeting and had to look up an old email. As I did, the latest email sent caught my eye – it was the name of a woman who had struggled with addictions, came to Gateway exploring faith years ago, but never committed. She had moved overseas, but now she was back. Her email said, “I’m going to do this 60-60 Experiment, but I’d like to get some questions answered first, any way we could meet?”
Two days later, a guy I play soccer with called me saying he was feeling like he had a short fuse at the last game, and he needed to get his life back in balance. I had already felt a prompting to see if he wanted to do this 60-60 Experiment, but I wanted to have breakfast with him to see if he understood God’s grace first. Then he calls me! So I’m meeting with both of them next week though I don’t “have the time” – I’m trusting I have enough time to do the things God wants me to and to get my ongoing responsibilities done as well. I’m seeing once again, the more trustworthy and faithfully willing I make myself, the more God trusts me to do. Life with God becomes an adventure!
You know John, i too often feel the need to want to make a difference in just one life, I find that my fear of failure has kept me from moving forward with opportunities that, to me, clearly seem indications from God that I should proceed with taking that challenge but I refrain. I am inspired by your willingness to do His will. I look forward to further challenges and maybe, just maybe He will also help me with my fear of failure. This whole Soul Revolution has already begun to make a difference, Wow! What will it be like in one month, one year? I don’t think i’ve ever been this excited, this might create some opportunities, who knows. = )
Comment by tsaenz — October 1, 2008 @ 11:09 pm
John, I also asked myself when you first mentioned the book and how the church would give it to anyone willing to do the experiment and discuss it with at least one or two others. I wondered who I could share it with and left it at that, not searching my own mind as to who, but displaying my willingness to share it to God. Well, as I posted earlier, God placed the opportunity for me to share it with my sister, he lined the whole thing up, and I am just so pleased that it was not my idea!
Also, a co-worker expressed interest in checking out Gateway. I cannot remember how it even came up in conversation. She has told me once or twice that she would meet me at Gateway, but then nothing really ever took place. I sort of wondered if I was letting God down or her down by not doing more than to be willing to meet her for church. So I brought my book into work one day and showed it to her, wondering if maybe this would be a motivating factor in her follow through. Today she told me she is going this Sunday with me to Gateway. So I have noticed more of a sense of urgency and excitement behind her desire to attend.
Comment by SandraHoofnagle — October 2, 2008 @ 8:07 pm
Over the last two yrs of attending Gateway, Terry and I have noticed the increase in “gray hair”, count us among that group. We registered to be in a group, but there was not one for our “age”…… all that to say that we reached out in church and found two couples willing to meet who are between 52-71. We are excited as we begin this group together. Even though we have all been Christ followers for decades, we are excited about intentionally focusing on God on a moment by moment basis since “life” seems to take precedence so often. We all LOVE Gateway and can’t wait to start this 60 day journey…. at this point in life, we don’t take a day for granted and want to spend them pleasing the Lord. Let’s Roll!!
Comment by Valinda Brock — October 4, 2008 @ 12:25 pm