Devotional Thought of the Day

¹³ “Everyone who calls, ‘Help, God!’ gets help.” ¹⁴ But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? ¹⁵ And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims, A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God! Romans 10:13-15 (MSG)

674      Our Lord wants to make us coredeemers with him. That is why to help us understand this marvel, he moves the evangelists to tell us of so many great wonders. He could have produced bread from anything… but he doesn’t! He looks for human cooperation: he needs a child, a boy, a few pieces of bread and some fish. He needs you and me: and he is God! This should move us to be generous in our corresponding with his grace.  (1)

A long time ago, in a place very far from where I am sitting in China, a young boy was asked by his dad to help him build the stone walls that would line their yard.  His head in a book, he was reluctant, until his father begged him to come help.  What he would do for his dad – was find the small stones – maybe 5 – 10 bounds that would fit the holes between the 20-60 pounds boulders that his dad would put in place.  He would occasionally stir the cemenet with a small trowel, so that it didn’t harden to fast.

As a child I always wondered why my dad “needed” my assistance.  Now as a dad, missing his son a lot while on a trip far away, I understand the need.  It’s not for the minor assistance, it is for the company, the fellowship, the ability to be engaged in something together.  It is what my friend Mike calls “that R word thingy”.  Relationship.

I have friends who will undoubtedly look at the title of this blog and react – God doesn’t “need” our help!  Our people don’t have to be evangelists within their vocation – at least not actively.  Doing a good job will be enough, we aren’t all called to make disciples.

They are wrong, but I think for the wrong reason.  God could make evangelists out of stone.  He could paint the sky with the revelation of His love.  But what if, He wants, He desires, He needs our “cooperation” in His work, for another reason… the same reason my dad would call upstairs and say, Dustin – I need you… come help me build.

Such is our call- a call to work besides the Creator of All, to see His work, up close and there.. as He builds His kingdom….

Such is our blessing today….

SO go – and tell the world of God’s mercy, and love and peace.

AMEN

(1)    Escriva, Josemaria (2011-01-31). The Forge (Kindle Locations 2480-2484). Scepter Publishers. Kindle Edition.