Seeking God’s Heart- by Bryan Shelley

Entry for April 21, 2008

Today’s Verse:Acts 8:4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. NASB

Many people wonder from time to time, “How in the world did I end up here and what am I supposed to be doing?” After the persecution of the first century church, which began in earnest with the stoning of Stephen, folks scattered. Understandably, right? Saul and his band of thugs were going house to house with the religious authorities approval “dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.” God used the resulting scattering to spread the gospel. He used devoted disciples who were otherwise “regular” folks to preach the good news to a world then, as today, desperately in need of its message of hope and forgiveness. They did not have mission committees or organizations to fund them, they just told people about Jesus wherever they found themselves. Maybe like me, you have lived in different places following jobs, schooling or family. Have you ever just wondered how much God’s providential hand was in all of that? God loves us and gives us the free will to move about and choose as we will. As one of my Bible professors once offered, “God can bless you and use you whether you end up in Mexia, Texas or Lower Slobovia.” What we are supposed to do in all things is to seek His will. To the extent that we do that, we have purposeful and meaningful lives as His faithful servants regardless where we wake up and find ourselves. Maybe the better question to ask rather than, “How did I get here?” is, “”What would God have me doing in this place?” We are to have hearts that not only seek His heart, but seek to do His will in whatever the circumstance we find ourselves. In the hospital, tell the nurses “God bless you.” At work, start a Bible study or invite coworkers to a church event or study. At home, sponsor a Bible study and coffee in your home. You say you are in Lower Slobovia, well the rest of us will pray for you. And if you will, God will use you to reach them too. Through you, oh scattered ones, someone will hear of the name that is above all names, Jesus.  May He use you in a powerful way where you are found this day and always.