Hi. It’s time for Thanksday! This week, I attended the annual conference of our church’s state association. It was good; the organizers did well. But honestly, sometimes I feel a little out of place and wonder if my presence at these kinds of things really matters—for anyone. Well, get this…
It's Thurs Thanksday!
Last week I started reading Drew Dyck’s latest book Just Show Up: How Small Acts of Faithfulness Change Everything (A Guide for Exhausted Christians). Since I was going to have some extra alone time in the mornings and evenings, I read the book in my hotel room. I won’t review the book here. I already did that. But one of the standout messages comes in the first chapter: “I can plod.” Our perseverance, our faithfulness to keep showing up, taking one step at a time, to keep moving, by faith in God’s abilities over our own, will have an impact. But you must have patience. Change will come, but you have to put in the time and reps.
So, while that was rattling around in my head, I was attending this conference. In one of the sessions, the speaker, Dr. Jeremy Kimble of Cedarville University, praises the pastors who are committed to faithful plodding in discipleship. Immediately I thought, “Hey, he read Drew’s book, too!” Then I thought, well maybe he did and maybe he didn’t, but I just heard the same message from two different Christian leaders that I respect, and that probably means something.
I just heard the same message from two different Christian leaders that I respect, and that probably means something.
So today I want to express gratitude for the voice of God, coming when it’s needed. You see, like everyone, I’ll go through times when I wonder if I’m making a difference. I’m certainly not lighting it up or reaching a massive audience. But in the last few days God said, “Just show up. Keep showing up where I put you. Remember that I didn’t call you to make a name for yourself but to make disciples of Jesus and that takes time and patience.” (No, I didn’t hear an audible voice. No, it’s not the same authority as Scripture. Yes, God speaks through His people. And yes, He sends the individual messages we need to hear.)
You might need that message, too. You might need to hear something else from God today. All I’m saying is, when you’re listening, you might just hear God say exactly what you need. In His Word, in prayer, in the fellowship of His people, He speaks. Are you listening?