Living in southern California, I never thought I’d speak French again, until one Sunday morning when our church pews were especially crowded and I found myself dusting off my second language like an old pair of boots.
My parents moved our family from California to France for full-time missions work when I was seven. After language school, they partnered with local pastors and churches to grow disciples and breathe new life into dying congregations. Over the next dozen years, I saw with my own eyes what God could do when willing people used their gifts for His glory.
It was only natural that years later, once I had moved back to the States and finished college, I would feel the itch to serve God in big and mighty ways. One Sunday, I found myself sitting in a church basement with a few dozen others who were going through a membership class. We listened to a summary of all the ministries this church was involved with and all the ways in which they could use our help. Then the leaders handed us a spiritual gift survey to determine each of our particular strengths. I took great care in circling my answers and tallying my responses. I flipped to the results section, eager to discover which spiritual gift was mine.
The Bible is clear that each of us is gifted in different ways and even goes on to name several spiritual gifts in more than one place in the New Testament. Gifts like those listed in Romans 12 (exhortation, giving, leadership, mercy, prophecy, service, and teaching) are broad categories and are helpful in pointing to where our strengths may lie. The Bible is not specific, however, in the day-to-day use of our gifts, other than that we are to practice them with love (1 Corinthians 13). In fact, it can become easy to hide behind our spiritual gifts when we are faced with a need. When God called Moses to speak to Pharaoh and lead His people out of Egypt, I imagine Moses would have found it very handy to show the Lord the results of his spiritual gifts survey as proof that he was not qualified for the job. “Oh my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)
Romans 12:1 tells us that we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, as an act of spiritual worship. When we are following Christ, we offer up our whole selves for His glory: our interests, our hobbies, our passions, our past experiences, even our mistakes. Everything about us is fair game when it comes to furthering His kingdom.
So there I was that crowded Sunday morning, sitting near the aisle, with just one free space on my left. Halfway through the first worship song, a very pregnant lady sat next to me, and I noticed her husband found a single seat a few rows over. During meet-and-greet time, I turned to her and introduced myself, quick to mention that I was the coordinator of our local moms group, and would she be interested in joining us and getting to know other moms?
When Luiza answered me, it was clear she had only caught some of what I was saying. In her halting English, she explained that she and her husband and daughter had moved here from Brazil and that they spoke Portuguese. They belonged to a Presbyterian church back home, and they were looking to join this one. Through simple words and gestures, we were able to share a bit about our families, but it took both of us a lot of effort. When it was finally time to sit down, Luiza casually mentioned that French is her second language. Delighted, I switched to French to let her know that I spoke it too!
The look of relief on Luiza’s face was immediate. We chatted more after the service and our friendship grew from there. When her son was born, she invited me over to meet him and share her banana bread. When her husband was traveling for work, I helped drive her daughter to preschool. We sat together in Bible study, and I tried to make sure she knew what was going on as her English improved.
As I take stock of my adult life, it’s easy to see I never did do anything “big and mighty” for God. I didn’t give up a career to move to a foreign country. I didn’t start a non-profit. I didn’t risk my life for the sake of the gospel. But I’m finally starting to believe my mother when she would tell the children in American Sunday schools: “Remember kids, whether it’s across the street or across the ocean, everyone can be a missionary!” Your missions field starts with your neighbor, sometimes even the very person sitting next to you.
And your service, whatever your spiritual gift may be, starts with open eyes and a willing heart. This is how God pours His grace into our hurting world through each of us — no matter the need, no matter the neighbor.
Your missions field starts with your neighbor, sometimes even the very person sitting next to you. -@notablysarah: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Sarah,
I never cease to be amazed at how God orchestrates millions of scenarios just like yours. He opens a door and welcomes us to step through. I think of all the times I have made excuses, like Moses did. God promises that if He calls us to it, He will equip us. How wonderful that He used the gift of a common language for you to be able to be the hands and feet of Jesus to your new friend. It’s also fun to see how gifts that haven’t been used for awhile will easily come back to us when we take the time to dust them off. Bien fait bon et fidele serviteur!!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Merci bien, Bev! May we have eyes to see the all the scenarios God has orchestrated in our life and may we be bold enough to serve when the time comes!
Bev,
You are always using your gifts from God to minister. You do it so naturally that you may not realize that you are doing it. I know how often you bless me in so many ways. Yes, we can all improve but you are too hard on yourself. Look at all those precious children your ministry is helping across the world. Those children are being educated, fed, loved and learning about Jesus. That is so amazing that you are here in the US and they are so far away. Yet you followed God’s leading and now those kids are off the dangerous streets and being allowed to be children. I just admire you so much and love you dearly.
Kathy
Thanks Kathy,
Your words really lifted me today!!
Love you sweet sister,
Bev xo
It’s interesting you wrote this piece today as my oldest grandson, James, Jr. left last night flying overseas as he is in the US Army, Airborne & will be stationed in Afghanistan. He definitely will be serving God & country across the ocean. Thank you for praying for God’s hedge of protection over him.
I’ll be praying for his protection and that he would be a light for Him in Afghanistan!
Frances,
Praying for your grandson and for all those serving in a very dangerous and spiritually dark corner of the world.
Blessings and hugs,
Bev xo
Frances, thank you for your son’s service and for yours as well. When one family member serves we all serve. My husband went to Afghanistan back in 2011-2012. I pray that your son will be protected from the Taliban and the devil. I pray that he focuses on pure things, Godly things… if there is temptation I pray that God provides a way out and your son will take it.
I pray that God is with your son at all times. Big hugs…
A fellow military family member
Frances,
Praying for your grandson & all the military. They & their families sacrifice a ton to give us the freedoms we have. May God watch over him & others serving in the middle east. Praying for a hedge of protection over all military. Thank you for your service as well!!
((((((Hugs))))))
The words of a kids chorus were singing their way through my thoughts as I read this delightful story:
“Across the street or across the sea, Here am I, Oh Lord, send me!”
I just returned from a training event where over 100 teens were equipped with methods and strategies for sharing the gospel. It was so invigorating to be reminded that the whole world is our mission field, and we begin in our own home town.
Yes! How wonderful that you were able to help teenagers see their God-given impact!
I couldn’t agree more! It seems God calls me to small tasks and then he waits to see if I’ll respond in love or brush it off. Your story shows how necessary those small acts are because they can bring us into relationships. Thank you for taking the time to write your story.
Yes! Relationships are so key when it comes to furthering God’s kingdom!
I go a Salvation Army Church our Officer’s say who are you going to Bless this week. Just like I know I am day late in read this reading. Just was busy. Serving or helping people. As Christian we are the hands feet of Jesus. Like you helping that Mum who was expecting who now has beautiful baby. You never know how much that meant to her that day you said hello her in your Church. Now you are friends. Jesus will bless you for what you did. Sometimes we have stop say no I am not shy. I can do it. Like Moses didn’t feel he was the man for the job God had him do. But if God say you are he will give you the tools to do it with. In the end Moses trusted God. Everything was ok. You never know if God tells you to go speak to that person that no one wants to know. You never know what a blessing you could be too them. They might just want someone to listen to them tell them they are not a nobody. That they matter. Jesus loves them. When you first meet them you might not get the chance to tell them that. Just say I pray for you. Like a guy came over to me after talking to my Husband he had drink problem. I didn’t judge him. I told him I pray for him. He was so thank full. I didn’t judge him and that I pray for him. I listened to him. He said it hard to get of it. I said then I pray for you. He said I so thank full for that. He shuck my hand went on his way. You never know what blessing I was to him that day. Then when he was gone I said prayer for him. My heart did go out to him. I didn’t judge him. Jesus would not want me too. Excellent reading. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little
You’re right, Dawn! You just never know what kind of impact our thoughts and actions are going to have on others!
Sarah,
Your post is spot on!! People think they have to have big platforms or travel overseas to make a difference in the Kingdom. Not so! God’s command was to go into all the world & make disciples (followers). He has equipped us with spiritual gifts & expects us to use them. You can start by doing something for a neighbor, then move on to helping out at church. Every little act of kindness is rewarded in Heaven. A casual smile, hello or hug could make someone’s day. We have to pay attention to God’s “aha” moments. Times God will put someone on your mind. Take the time to text, call or email that person & tell them you’re thinking of them. That could be the catalyst to something big. This weekend I will be making cookies for our monthly “Feed the Multitude”-help feed less fortunate. We combine with another church to provide the food. At the end I will take some left over casseroles & other foods for my in-laws & an elderly neighbor, In the past I helped my parents. I even had to feed my aging dad. It just what you do. It seems like so little yet God gets all the glory.
Blessings 🙂