“Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, ‘We shall hear you again concerning this.’ So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed…” Acts 17:32-34a (NASB)
You often don’t know what your witnessing is accomplishing in the moment.
One day I arrived late for a youth pastor’s meeting, so I missed the introductions. But as I sat down, I noticed a familiar face across the room — one I would never have guessed would be at this meeting. About four year earlier, I had met Rick. He was one of the most spiritually antagonistic university students I had ever come across, and now he was a youth pastor?
After the meeting he told me the story of how shortly after we had met, three people had attempted to explain the importance of having a relationship with God. Each time he argued and fought, but finally he realized the truth and accepted Christ’s love and forgiveness to become a Christ follower. It was his last semester of university. That fall he began his training for vocational ministry!
You just never know where you fit into the progression of God’s plan for another person. Paul demonstrates this in our passage today.
He wasn’t the only one. This “You Just Never Know” attitude was demonstrated by Jonathan in 1 Samuel 14:6 when he said to his armor bearer, “Come and let us cross over to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the Lord will work for us, for the Lord is not restrained to save by many or by few.” Jonathan and is armor bearer were willing to take a risk and trust that God could work through their small military advance. God did work and give a great victory that day. Jonathan took a step of faith and God blessed his faith.
It pleases God when we trust Him to weave our acts of faith into his master plan for individuals and nations!
*Father, help me to see the people and circumstances around me through your eyes. Guide my small steps of faith to fit into your eternal plan. Help me anticipate your hand at work even when I’m fearful or only see a brief moment in the larger story. Amen.”
By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission
Further Reading
• The Almighty A Poem by Katy Kaufmann
• God’s Sufficiency Exceeds Our Need – by Sylvia Gunter