“I was talking to a neighbor last night,” Stan began. “He is having a hard time remembering some things he is supposed to do.”
“Such as?” I responded.
“Well,” Stan said, “yesterday his wife sent him to the grocery store to get some things for dinner. He left to go to the store but got sidetracked and forgot. When he got home without the groceries he was in a bit of trouble!”
Continuing, he said, “His little story reminded me of something the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome. And, not only that, it reminded me of how often I fail to do what God sent me to do.”
“How so?” I asked.
“In the tenth chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, he begins with a statement about everyone who calls on the name of the Lord being saved.”
“Paul then goes on with a series of questions about what the people need in order to call upon the name of the Lord. They need to be presented with the truth in order to hear and to believe. There may be some other steps, but the bottom-line is the need for people to be sent in order for others to be able to believe.”
“I can understand that,” I replied, “but not everyone can go to the other side of the world to present the truth so others can believe and be saved.”
“That’s true,” Stan responded, “but I think that your definition of ‘being sent’ is way too narrow. A person doesn’t necessarily need to go to the other side of the world. Maybe it’s just to the other side of town, or to the other side of the street. Or, perhaps, it’s just to the other side of the room.”
“The point is,” Stan continued, “that wherever I am sent by God that is where I am to go. And I certainly want to have the right answer when God says, ‘I sent you. Did you go?’”
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For whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without the preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Romans 10:13 – 15.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the obedience of the people you sent so that I was able to hear the truth, believe the truth, and be saved so I can spend eternity with you when it is time. And thank you that you have left me here on this side of eternity so I can be sent to help others be saved and know what being saved means for both sides of eternity. Please forgive all of the times I have failed to go where you had for me to go. Please help me in following your lead to wherever you want. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Waiting for the Train 