I was surprised yesterday to receive a call from an editor in Colorado. I used to get hundreds of such calls and had over 1000 articles posted about me through the years. I have a big box of them somewhere in my memorabilia. I still have a copy of one article that made its way to the front page of the main newspaper in Athens Greece. I now know where the term “It’s all Greek to me” came from because I couldn’t understand a word of it.
Since those days I have drifted into obscurity. Until yesterday I haven’t had such a request in several years. It was a nice surprise to hear from someone who remembered me from days gone by. Most folks have forgotten my little ministry, but God still remembers it. The odd thing about it is that I don’t even know the man doing the article or who recommended me to him. He told me they were doing a series of articles about people whom God has given great opportunities throughout their lives to do work on His behalf and I had been nominated.
I think the key words here are God gave opportunities. I used those opportunities to witness to others and I spent many years traveling and speaking about how God had transformed my life. I saw thousands of people accept Jesus as their Savior and start their journey following Christ and it is truly the highlight of my life. and one I shall never forget.
In some ways am reminded of John Newton, author of Amazing Grace. I once was lost but now am found. Was blind but now I see. God had no need for me. He could have used a rock that cannot see, or hear, to do what I did in my ministries. He simply wanted my faith and my sincere love for Him. I gave Him what I could, and He took it from there and His Holy Spirit germinated the seeds I planted. It was Him and His Amazing Grace that changed my life and to a greater extent changed the lives of John Newton and the Apostle Paul for that matter. Any articles about spending time trying to evangelize should be written about Jesus and not the tools He is using.
I’m now old and in poor health, but I have not given up on God nor has He given up on me. He still gives me opportunities and I still take advantage of them whenever and wherever I can. I hope and pray that you are doing likewise my friends. One day He will celebrate with us and we will learn about our next project.
Matt. 25:23
“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’