Baptism is one of my favorite ways to worship at our church. This past Sunday, five young men gave visual testimony to their new faith in Jesus. They took turns stepping into the baptismal water and standing quietly as a relative or friend read their testimonies aloud for them. At the conclusion of each testimony, the minister asked all friends, family members and neighbors to stand. He asked the new believer's former and present Bible Study, VBS, choir and missions teachers and leaders to stand. He invited pre-school and school teachers, coaches and administrators to rise. When everyone in the congregation who served as a thread in the fabric of the new believer's life had stood, the pastor pointed them out and allowed time for the new Christian and everyone else to see and absorb the network of people who helped this soul find Jesus.
God's plan for each of our lives unfolds in intricate patterns requiring time and forethought. He doesn't reach each one the same way or with the same people. Nor does He use us the same way each time He reaches someone. My thread crosses your thread in a person's life and God becomes clearer at the intersection. Your thread reinforces someone else's thread in my life and I'm encouraged to stick with God's plan. Miracle upon miracle of criss-crossing patterns bring us to faith in God and help us trust Him to use us to point lost people to Him. Realizing we can't fulfill the Great Commission by ourselves is the starting point for fulfilling the Great Commission.
Sovereign God, Great God - You bring us together to glorify You and to do the good works You've planned for each of us in advance. Your own life on earth was pre-designed to cross the paths of men, women, children, Jews, Gentiles, the rich and the poor, the healthy and the diseased, the whole and the disabled, the spiritually hungry and the self-satisfied. You followed Your unfolding Plan though it seemed to make no sense to most people at the time. Your obedience led to miracle after miracle until people noticed and many felt compelled to follow You. Please, help us patiently follow Your intricately detailed Plan and let You cross our paths with people we can lead to You, even if our part is small or seems ineffectual at the time. Use us to make a difference this day, this season and in the New Year.
In the Name of Jesus who brought us together in Him!
"I have seen You in Your sanctuary and beheld Your power and Your glory." Psalm 63:2
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