It’s hard to put today into words. In some ways, it was a continuation of yesterday, in that we continued to plan ministry projects and figure out what we’re doing. But it was more than that as well.
Most of us visited several ministry sites today in order to get a better idea of their needs and to meet some of the people in those churches who we would serve and serve with. Some groups began the first day of their VBS, while other groups threw block parties, and still other groups tore off roofs and started laying shingles.
So as you can see, there was quite a bit of variety.
But I think if I had to pick a word for the day, it would be encouragement. As we went to all of these places, we met discouraged people. We met church members and pastors who have been working hard for years and not seeing the results they long for. And even though we and they know God is the one who brings the harvest, it’s hard sometimes to have hope when we have to wait so long.
So it was our job to point them to the hope that we have.
I personally had the opportunity to meet and talk with four pastors of four churches. I asked them about their stories. I asked them about their challenges. And I encouraged them to continue to be faithful. I praised them for pressing on even through the trials, and I reminded them that Christ would never leave nor forsake them.
But as I encouraged them, I was also encouraged by them. It’s crazy how that works. When we seek to be a blessing to others, God often chooses to bless us as well.
Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
God uses believers to encourage each other, teach each other, help each other, and help each other grow. We do these things as we follow Christ and glorify God. And as we sharpen one another, we become better equipped to minister to the world around us, encouraging them also to follow Christ and glorify God.
Because ultimately, it’s not about what we can accomplish for God, but about what God will accomplish through us, according to His wisdom, and for His own glory.
So we should all be encouraged that God has a plan, and we get to be a part of it.