Links

"For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you that you may be filled with the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:9)

     Have you ever heard a story,m who's imagery was so powerful you never forgot it?  Maybe it even changed the way you lived or saw the world?  I have one.  It's so ingrained in my mind and heart, I've probably shared it with more than a few of you.  So bear with me, because I think it's one that needs repeating.

    A young pastor, and evangelist, came into a church and preached during a three day revival.  he gave an altar call at the end of each service with varying degrees of response. But on the last night ,, the Holy Spirit broke through (as we used to say when i was a kid).  many came forward to receive Christ for the first time.

   As you can imagine young minister was feeling pretty good about himself, who wouldn't be.  But as he began to leave that night he felt a slight tug on his sleeve.  It was an older man, one of the dear saints of the church.  the man said "You know, it seems to me it takes about 50 people to bring someone to the Lord, like 50 links in a chain. Isn't it funny how we only give credit to the 50th link?"  And then he shuffled off into the night.

  His point was that almost no one just decides to go to a church service and give their life to Jesus. God has brought many people into that person's life over the years. grandparents who prayed for them. parents who took them to church. A Sunday School teacher, a youth minister. A pastor. Maybe a friend.  And while none of those people got to see the end results of their prayers and efforts, God used each of them and their love as  a link in that person's salvation.

    John Wesley referred to this as Prevenient Grace, the grace that goes before.  It's God's efforts to let us know that He loves us and bring us to him long before we were even aware of him.  of course it's not just people. God might use a circumstance, both good and bad, a piece of music or a sunset.  That's one of the wonderful things about God's grace.  There is a wildness to it that we cannot control.

  My reason for writing this today is two fold. One is that this might be a good day for you to think about the links in your chain, all the people God used to bring you to him. Give thanks for them in prayer.  Maybe, if you know where they are, you might send them a note and thank them. It's your opportunity to be a blessing back to those who have blessed you.

  The other reason I write this is to encourage all of you who have a burden for someone on your heart.  You have prayed, witnessed, invited them to church. And yet nothing seems to happen. Don't worry. It might just mean you are the 23rd link in a chain of 50. But each link is important and vital.   each one is needed. Each  is a vital part of the grace of God.

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Brian Jones <><