4-6: I don’t have much to offer

Many years ago a friend told Katy and me that she didn’t feel that she was of any use to God. Knowing that this was wrong but nevertheless how she felt, we suggested that she came round to see us. She said that she couldn’t do Mondays as she visited an elderly person; nor Tuesdays as she did shopping for someone who was housebound. Wednesday wasn’t too good either as she gave someone a lift to the Day Centre.

What the friend was saying in effect was that her servant gift was inferior to the gifts of teaching and leadership. This is partly because we live in a celebrity culture where we exalt the people who are in the public eye more than the ones whose work is carried out behind the scenes.

Yet Paul tells us that the opposite is true in the kingdom of God. Those who the world might regard as inferior are essential. The roles which the world gives little honour to are the ones which God honours most.

I have been privileged to deliver the gospel message to a relatively large gathering. I often feel a great liberty and also the anointing of the Holy Spirit on me. Why? Because so many people are praying for me. When the Lord comes to give out the rewards everyone who prayed will receive one because they were as much a part of the work as the one who delivered the message.

Recently one of our groups had a very discouraging session followed by a very encouraging one. What made the difference? My guess is that people were praying more for the second one.

Someone said: ‘They also serve who stand and wait’. I say: ‘Those also serve who pray’.