GIVE YOURSELF AWAY!

I've just finished reading about Paul's missionary work in his final days of traveling around Eastern Europe   I so much admire Paul!  At his last sermon in the city of Asia called Troas, Paul spoke so long that a young man fell asleep and fell out of a third story window! So Paul occasionally was a bit wordy, somewhat like me.  How pleased I would be if I was really like Paul!  (Perhaps, my little toe!)


Paul's methods of making a friend, being a friend and bringing that friend to Christ is a method long sought after by many. I know some of them, personally.  Some are so very good at it. One person in particular comes to my mind.  Her name was Lu and I asked her once how she did it.  She said, "I just ask them a lot of questions about themselves."  So that's how to make a friend.


Some people really shine when it comes to being a friend.   A missionary friend of ours, working overseas, made sure he borrowed something right away from a neighbor. Revealing his need for something he didn't have, gave the neighbor permission to also admit his own needs.


Bringing the friend to Christ is sharing your own need for Christ.  And I think some of us find it hard to do that! Paul knew how to do it and really liked doing that very thing.  And that's why I admire Paul!


Right now, Jerry and I are leaders of a small group in our church. We have led many groups in the past, but never one this small! Although we hope that it grows a bit, it flows the same as a larger group might flow.  Life gives everyone disheartening situations.  Our members are no different.  In those situations, we all feel a sense of weakness.


Paul said in Acts 20:35, "In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." And what do we have to give?  Encouragement and prayer.


Paul loved those who belonged to the churches he started. We love those in our small group.  We hope those who meet with us will respond to our love.  Listening to heart-felt needs, giving comfort, and praying together is love, the epitome of love.


Getting into the habit of sharing and caring with a small group may  soon send us over the driveway to the neighbors in our development.  How wonderful to build strong relationships with people we yet do not know!


Then we will be able to tell someone that is not churched, perhaps, that the Christian life has its rough times, its tears, and its sorrows, but the joys that are ours in God outweigh life's difficulties, and even help us through them. 


Paul was drawn to his work. And although it is foolish and egotistical to compare what we do, Jerry and I were drawn to a church which was starting small groups. Paul was drawn "irrisistibly by the Holy Spirit" (the Study Bible for Acts 20:35). to give himself away for his friends.


Although my own feats cannot be  compared to Paul's feats I pray I may follow in Paul's footsteps.
He gave himself away to his friends.


Thanks be to God!


Your friend, Jo