1.08.2007

When God works through us...

Ministry can be pretty thankless work. You put everything you've got into what God has called you to do, and the best you can hope for every now and then is to hear someone say, "Good sermon, this morning."

And then there are times when you discover that God is really doing something through you! This happened to me after church today.

I was having a conversation with a couple of guys at my church--well, it was more like they were having the conversation and I was listening! They were talking about the business world--which I haven't really had a lot of experience in--and how difficult and frustrating it can be as a Christian.

One of the guys--I'll call him Steve--was talking about how his company had once instructed him to fire an employee who was beginning to show signs of epilepsy. They said that it was too expensive to keep him on with all the medical expenses the company would incur! To me, that's unbelievable! But then, I live much of my life in church-land.)

Against his better judgment (and fear of being fired himself) Steve did end up firing the man--who then had a heart attack soon after being fired!

After they found out about the heart attack, one of Steve's supervisors poked his head into Steve's office, gave him a thumbs up, and said with a smile and wink, "Boy! We sure dodged that bullet didn't we!" Meaning, of course, the company avoided even more medical expenses for the man who'd been fired.

Steve, however, felt awful about, not only this situation, but others like it. Eventually, he left the company.

After telling this story, Steve turned to me and said, "And Markus, you really helped me with some of this stuff last year."

I said, "I did?"

And Steve replied, "Yeah, I remember you saying in one of your sermons once that living as a Christian is harder than it is not to. And I remember thinking about that as I was going through some of this stuff." And he talked about how much easier it would be just to do things the world's way, but that as Christians we have to live a different way.

I tell this story not to boast. Clearly, I had no idea that I was saying anything particularly helpful for Steve. But it's so encouraging to know that God can work through a single comment (or a single touch, or a single visit, or a single phone call, or a single...) to move a person to walk closer to Jesus.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's pretty awesome, Mark... makes you realize that you do make an impact, even though 99% of the people probably don't say a thing about it...

Russell Smith said...

Sweet! Its moments like those that make it worth it

Unknown said...

There are many ed hardy Clothing maternity brands that offer ed hardy sale expectant mothers ed hardy trendy and fashionable maternity wear ed hardy UK for every ed hardy cheap holiday occasion. Such ed hardy Clothes famous and chic maternity ed hardy store fashions are designed by edhardy.com the most celebrated designers christian audigier sale that includes: Nordstrom ed hardy dresses Maternity , Liz Lange, Ann Taylor ed hardy Polos Loft, Gap Maternity , Old Navy Maternity , Isabella ed hardy sandals Oliver, Motherhood Maternity, Babystyle , and much more. These hot brands ed hardy Jackets will make you look stunning at every holiday gathering.

Anonymous said...

Everything is very open with a really clear description of the challenges.
It was definitely informative. Your website is useful.

Thanks for sharing!
Also see my web page: new super mario bros. wii u peach's castle red hot elevator ride

Anonymous said...

Fastidious replies in return of this query with real arguments and
telling the whole thing regarding that.
my page: Geeks on Steroids

Anonymous said...

Malaysia & Singapore & brunei finest on the internet blogshop
for wholesale & quantity korean add-ons, accessories, earstuds, choker, rings, bracelet, bracelet & hair accessories.
Promotion 35 % wholesale rebate. Ship Worldwide
my web page :: Korean accessories online shop

Anonymous said...

Hello everyone, it's my first go to see at this web site, and piece of writing is actually fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting these content.
Also visit my weblog ; general contractors near orlando florida

Anonymous said...

Hey very nice website!! Guy .. Excellent .
. Amazing .. I'll bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally? I am satisfied to seek out numerous helpful info here in the put up, we want work out extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Also see my site: penilarge opinie

Anonymous said...

When I initially left a comment I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from
now on every time a comment is added I receive four emails with the
same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from that service?
Thanks!
Also see my web page: neucopia

Anonymous said...

Greetings, I think your website could be having internet browser compatibility
problems. When I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in IE, it's got some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, fantastic blog!
Here is my site great summer vacation

Anonymous said...

Hey there, You have done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends.
I'm sure they will be benefited from this site.

My web site; buy cheap gw2 gold

Anonymous said...

Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend
your site, how can i subscribe for a blog site?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a
little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea

my web page ... electrician katy tx.

Anonymous said...

If some one desires to be updated with hottest technologies afterward he must be pay a visit this web site and be up to date every day.


Look into my blog ... electrician katy tx.

Anonymous said...

I got this web page from my pal who told me about this web site and now this time I am browsing this web site and reading very informative articles
at this place.

Also visit my web blog electrician katy tx.

Anonymous said...

Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your
weblog and wished to mention that I've really loved surfing around your blog posts. After all I'll be subscribing on your feed and I hope you write again
very soon!

Visit my page ... Blonde college teen webcam cumshot

Anonymous said...

Hurrah, that's what I was searching for, what a stuff! existing here at this weblog, thanks admin of this website.

my page: Brunette really likes sex

Anonymous said...

What's up, after reading this remarkable piece of writing i am also happy to share my know-how here with friends.

my page Blowjob Videos Free XXX Videos

Anonymous said...

I saw a weblog on Yahoo and read a number of posts. terrific function!
I just twittered about the weblog

Here is my homepage simply click the following webpage

Anonymous said...

This page truly has all the information I needed concerning
this subject and didn't know who to ask.

Also visit my web blog ... naked teen pussy

Anonymous said...

I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the page
layout of your site? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or 2 pictures.
Maybe you could space it out better?

My blog: www.xxxvideofix.com

Anonymous said...

I like what you guys tend to be up too. This sort of clever work and coverage!
Keep up the very good works guys I've included you guys to my own blogroll.

my homepage ... http://www.teenpornsexpussy.com

Anonymous said...

electronic cigarettes, e cig, e cigarette, e cigarette, smokeless cigarettes, vapor cigarette