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by Karen Braun
I am eternally grateful to the one man who was obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit because the result changed lives- including mine!
My father had the noose around his neck and was ready to jump from the loft of the barn, because Mom had told him that she was going to leave him.
Just then, the dog on the farm started barking because Wes, an old drinking buddy of my dad’s - who was now a Christian - came to ask permission to take my brothers to Vacation Bible School. (My mom was pregnant with me at the time.)
Dad slipped off the noose and went to greet him. It was around the kitchen table that Wes shared the wonderful hope, peace and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. And it was there that both my mom and dad got down on their knees and cried out to God to save them.
God delivered my dad of his alcoholism that day and brought healing and restoration to my parents’ marriage in the days and months and years to come. And God has since brought hundreds, if not thousands, into the kingdom because of His touch on my parents and my family. Three of us four kids are now in full-time ministry. I can’t help but wonder: what if Wes hadn’t obeyed?
A link in an eternal chain
I am persuaded to believe that your and my obedience is a critical link in the chain of someone’s eternal destination.
I just heard the other day of a man who had a friendship with some neighbors for 20 years. The neighbor died, and he was asked to speak at the funeral. After the service, he shared the grief of not being able to offer any hope at this funeral because he knew his neighbor did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It became even more painful because he realized that in his 40 years of being a Christian, not once had even cared to share the hope of Jesus, not with anyone. Now he was faced with knowing it was was too late for his neighbor, and who knows whom else. Oh, the regret.
As we begin a new year, we can find comfort in knowing that God has already been ahead. May I challenge you to have your antennae tuned into the opportunities the Lord will bring your way? God knows by name those He is calling to Himself in your community, in your workplace, in your circle of acquaintance. He has come to seek and save the lost. He has already called you and placed you in their lives to pray His heart for them and to be love in action.
I recently learned that God used the small act of my husband and me holding hands to pray before a meal in a restaurant to call to Himself a young man who was watching us. He is now a pastor. Go figure!
Together, we can be intentional about being obedient and giving hope! It may mean the difference of eternity for one soul or maybe even thousands! His Spirit will lead and direct because it is all about Him! May He overwhelm you with your need of hope, so that as you freshly live in His love and forgiveness, you will become hope to others!
Karen Braun is the director of Mothers Who Care, a ministry whose vision it is to see schools across the land covered with intercessory prayer. To e-mail Karen, click here.
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