Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Missionary (10/19/06)
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TITLE: Giving it all to God | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dennis Fletcher
10/21/06 -
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For the last week he had been receiving subtle prompts from the Lord about being ready to minister, even here. In the middle of praying, he would see visions of someone praying. He knew Gods voice and walked with Him daily, but he had never been given visions before, so he was excited.
“Lord, show me a sign, something very clear.” He started, “Something that shows me your will beyond doubt.” He knew he was to be a missionary, but he wasn’t sure of how this vision played into it. He thought on this for a while and then his mind went back to the fact that he still didn’t have all of the finances he needed.
He headed off to the mall to meet with his pastor about this. As he entered the mall he could hear the anguish and desperation of one person. He was almost completely overwhelmed by it when his eyes fell on one person and he knew in his spirit this was the one. He saw a young man sitting alone, a look of boredom and disgust on his face, masking the fear and hurt that was deep within. He was definitely not someone Tom would have just walked up to, but he knew in his heart that what he first sensed was what this guy was feeling, so he just went right up to him.
“Hi, my name is Tom, how are you?” He felt it was a corny way to do introductions, but he trusted God was in this.
The young man looked up at him, somewhat startled and said, “Hi, I’m Derek. You don’t want to know how I’m doing.” With that, he just looked away. Tom sat down beside him and started to speak, silently asking for the Holy Spirit to help.
“Sometimes, when I don’t feel well, or when the world seems to be caving in, I go to this little spot in the woods behind my house and I just cry out. It never fails, God always seems to comfort me there and I can go on.” Tom wasn’t sure how Derek would react, but he knew he had to trust God.
“Yea, I tried the God thing, didn’t seem to help, just felt like a lot of rules. With the problems I have, I can’t think of anything else to do but end it all, not that you’d care or anything.” Derek said with a sneer.
Tom was taken aback; he’d never dealt with this, even in the youth group. He kept feeling God’s prompting, though, to open his mouth and speak. He knew God wouldn’t let him down. “How would you like to talk with someone who could help you out, someone who will listen, no matter what?” He asked.
“What have I got to loose? No one’s ever just listened before.” And with that, Tom took Derek to see his pastor. Their meeting never taking place, instead, the Pastor and Derek talked for hours. Tom excused himself from the meeting and went back home to finish packing. He never even got a chance to speak with his pastor before leaving.
After being in Peru for a couple of months, Tom received a letter. There was no return address, so Tom had no idea who it might be from. He opened it and a small note was all he found.
Thank you and God bless you. Don’t worry about your needs; God has put it on my heart to sponsor you for the next few years. Your kindness brought me to Christ. Thank you, Derek.
Tom remembered him immediately. He broke into tears of joy. He couldn’t believe it, the last thing he did in his hometown, God used for good and now he didn’t have to worry about anything but ministering for the next few years. He rushed to the others in the group and shared God’s blessing. The service that night was full and the Holy Spirit flowed freely, Tom’s joy was pouring into the service and God was definitely being glorified. As powerful as the service was, Tom never noticed the young man slip into the church and sit in the back.
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