J20 You didn't build that!

Ephesians 2:10: "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Cassiodorus (1) says "There is wickedness, to attribute free will to our human powers, believing we can devise or enact some good of our own without God's grace." [my paraphrasing]

As with all believers, the renewing of my mind has habituated me to some acts of kindness which flow naturally from the fruits of the spirit. But occasionally I am prompted to do some act totally new and out of character for me, and socially odd. If beneficial to another, it is undoubtedly the prompting of the Spirit. These are novel, without precedent.

While solo camping in some little-visited and remote western mountains, I was planning my day's hike when the "thought" came to me, that the scripture verse cards I had brought on the trip, should be offered to the first three people I met on the trail. (This is not something I had ever done before). About three hours into my walk, not having seen another person since the previous day, I encountered a man and, fanning out the cards, invited him to take one, read it, and if it meant something to him, to keep it -- if not, just return it. Selecting a card, reading it, and smiling, he said "Scripture! I'm a Bible teacher!" I was badly in need of encouragement on that trip, and the following moments of fellowship were a huge blessing to me. About an hour later I encountered a young Eastern European couple. Upon taking a card, the woman grew warm and thanked me. "That is lovely," she said. Her partner kept his, too, but with obvious reluctance. Bread on the water...

Some years ago, my wife treated me to a special gift -- regular yard service by others. As it happens, the workers are usually Spanish speakers. Working in my office one day, I noticed a younger worker whom I had not previously seen. As I turned back to my drawings, my eye was caught by the new Spanish-English parallel bible I had acquired (hoping to refresh my language skills). The "thought" came to me, that I should give it to her. When I did so, she accepted it with grace and a smile, but without surprise. I have not seen her since, and I do not need to know the "rest of the story."

There is a wonderful Don Francisco song in which he sings about God using us, "He could have used the dog next door" -- (or an ass) -- but sometimes, and we treasure them, He uses us.

So, when out of nowhere (not!) you are prompted to say or do something to a stranger, and it is totally out of character for you, and socially weird, but not dangerous, and potentially a blessing to another -- just maybe God decided to let you do the work (instead of the dog!).

My prayer today: Lord, it seems You have planted entire rows of good works along our walks. Let me notice and act on at least a few. Let me heed the suggestion springing unbidden into my mind. Open my eyes and ears to the work you have prepared for me. I am so sorry I have passed on so many, either not noticing, or dismissing, or willfully rejecting, that work.

(1) "Exposition on the Psalms, [50.1]" IVP Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, OT vol vii, Blaising and Hardin, Eds

8/3/2018, 9/1/2024