The young couple beamed as the Pastor introduced them to the congregation. Holding hands and gazing out over the congregation, they were confident and elated with their new positions within the local church.

 

“We are pleased to introduce Jake and Ann. They will be co-leading our college ministry. Let’s pray for them.” Closing his eyes, the Pastor placed his arms around both of them and prayed, ”It is you, Father God, who have chosen them. We only recognize those whom You have called!”

 

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are all called to serve in the Church, His Body, yet not all roles are so highly visible as a pastor or a director of a college ministry. What about those who are called to work behind the scenes? The ushers, musicians, hospitality, and prayer warriors-all of them are part of the Church and, thankfully, are the glue for many local churches, ensuring that operations run smoothly.

 

But God sometimes calls certain people only to minister at one specific point in time. One such instance occurred for me, on a plane trip, returning from Hawaii. During this very difficult period in my life, my mother was dying from cancer. I flew to Honolulu thirteen times in eleven months, leaving Los Angeles on a Friday evening and returning that Sunday evening. On one of these return trips, I sat next to a man, a few years younger than I. Aside from the exchange of perfunctory pleasantries, we did not speak. In the last hour of the flight, he turned to me and asked, “Were you on vacation in Hawaii?”

 

My heart was still heavy from the emotional roller coaster of spending the weekend with my mother. I begrudgingly said, “No, not quite.” I rudely turned away from him but my emotions rose to the surface. “Sorry,” I began. “I was visiting my mother in Hawaii. She is dying from cancer.”

 

The stranger looked at me and spoke softly. “You know…as I sat here next to you, I heard God speaking to me, telling me to reach out to you.”

 

After a few minutes of sharing, it was clear he was a fellow believer in Jesus Christ.  He prayed with me and shared a few Bible verses of encouragement. The plane soon landed. We did not exchange contact information and I only knew his first name. I have never seen or heard from him again. I recognize that God, the Father, called this man to minister to me for just that tender moment in my life.

 

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

 

God calls all believers into His service. We are to bear the burdens of those around us, to bring the sweet aroma of Jesus Christ into this broken world. Only God knows all whom He calls to serve Him.  I am thankful for the many saints that God has called to comfort me in my life. I pray that God will open my eyes and heart to bear another’s burdens and spread the hope and joy of Jesus Christ.

 

Amen!

 

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.