How Do You Know?
by Dotty Cockcroft
This verse was highlighted again to me recently. I think that when Paul wrote it he was talking to people who had become Christians after they were married and their spouse had not come to faith in Christ. They were wondering in the light of his other teaching: ‘Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?’ (2 Corinthians 6:14), if they should stay married or separate from their spouse.
However, it reminded me of a testimony I heard recently from someone who’s been in full time Christian ministry, with a heart and gifting for evangelism, for twenty-five or more years. He said that many years ago he’d been invited, by a colleague from work in the city, to go to a lunchtime meeting at a local church. The meeting was led by a young clergyman. Although he didn't become a Christian that day he saw something in that man which he knew he didn't have, but he really wanted.
The testimony went on that he’d recently met up again, through the course of work, with this clergyman (who is now a bishop). He’d been able to tell him that it was largely through his witness all those years ago that he’d come to faith in Christ. Naturally the bishop was pleased to hear this, as any of us would be. But the interesting thing was that he said that he’d never known why he was in that place at that time. He’d always thought that year of his life had been wasted.
Wow! That really challenged me and made me think. Sometimes we’re busy working away, trying to witness to someone or help them, and we wonder if we’re doing any good or being any help. At other times we feel that nothing’s happening we’re not being used by God, and think perhaps we’re in the wrong place. Or maybe we’re just taking time out to rest and enjoy ourselves, and we discover, or maybe we don’t till we get to heaven, that God has used us in a way we didn't know, and certainly didn't plan.
God is sovereign. He does things His way. How do you know how God will use YOU?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I delight to be used by You and I pray now that I may become more like You, so Your love and resurrection life will shine through and be a witness to others. Amen.
Dotty Cockcroft is on the associate ministry and teaching teams at Glyndley Manor where she has been involved for about 20 years. She is married with 3 grown up children and 3 gorgeous grandchildren and works as a Practice Nurse. She passionately believes God wants us to move into His healing and wholeness.
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