Brian’s Perspective - Old Blog

I believe that God uses the little things around us to teach us a great deal about Him and about ourselves if we are willing to listen. I believe God can shatter a mighty, proud heart or thought with the simplest of things which are really evidence of someone’s great faith in Him.

Tonight was one of those nights.

I spent some time with a man from a sister congregation, whom we all know and love, struggling against a full, raging case of leukemia. It is terrible. The elders from my congregation and I went to see him, pray for him, and encourage him. He will begin a very tough round of treatment tomorrow. If you read this, say a prayer for him. As we were about to leave, a little act of faith and love happened to shatter me. As we finished our prayer for our brother, he squeezed my hand and the hand of a woman holding his other hand and proceeded to pray for everyone in the room, especially that the elders and I would be safe as we traveled to another hospital to visit someone else. This man, who is hurting, frightened, and exhausted, had the faith to minister to us as we ministered to him.

I now see, in a new way, that a faithful person, no matter how physically tired, drained, or sickly, can still do amazing things for God. To so many, this man appeared weak, but not in his mind or in God’s mind. God used him in a very tangible way, which all the elders acknowledged, too, to shatter our preconceptions of human weakness in the face of illness. Now, in a new way, I see every human, in every condition–rich or poor, healthy or strong, weak or courageous, and on and on–as an opportunity for God to work and an opportunity for ministry as well as someone to whom we may minister.

We are never so burdened, that God cannot, by his grace use us to do great work in another person’s life.

And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)