Five Smooth Stones

It is remarkable how different serving God can look for different people. Some pack their day full, trying to balance many balls in the air, and always find more to do. Others are more deliberate and decide how their giftings might be best used in the context of their local church or in the hustle and bustle of their every day life.

Some people are blessed with an unflagging energy that pushes them ever outward. Others withdraw into themselves in order to strengthen themselves for their next big push. They are birthing something, and it is near time, but it is not the time to push. It is in this part of the labour that the pain is most intense.

When the child is born, the pain is forgotten in the wonder of the beautiful child. Mothers and Fathers find great joy in watching their children grow and develop.

Our Heavenly Father is the proudest Papa there is, when he sees his children working together with their big brother Jesus, and getting along with all the various off-shoots of his family. We are truly a diverse bunch. Before the cross, Jesus prayed his church might be one, as he and Father are one. The saddest thing for him, other than the dire state of our present world, must be that we argue constantly amongst ourselves.

Wake up church! The bride of Christ is nowhere near ready. Those foolish virgins will never get their lamps trimmed in time with enough oil. Jesus is standing at the door of our hearts and he is knocking. We need to invite him in to share a meal with us. We need to strengthen our brothers and sisters around our world and in our own neighbourhoods. These are the last of the last times and the time is getting short. If the slumbering church does not awaken and start to make the necessary preparations, judgement will fall first on the church. 

Jesus loves his bride, his church, and he wants us all to be ready. Personally I think there are a lot of the things I want to get done before the day of his return. I need to choose carefully where I put my energy and passion, so I can get stronger to do what God is calling me to do. 

The funny thing is Jesus doesn't seem to be waiting for me to get stronger to use me. For His strength is made perfect in weakness. In asking for help, I am able to also encourage others. Just in being real about where I truly am at, I am already working for him. Even small assignments, can have an enormous ripple effect like a stone skipped across the water. Remembering what five smooth stones in the hands of a mighty warrior once did.