Grace and Vision

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.  On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I but the grace of God that is with me.  1 Corinthians 15:10

Paul's ministry was driven by grace.  He seemed always aware of how undeserving he was of God's gift of salvation - he knew so well "from whence he came."  Paul's conversion turned him from a zealous persecutor of the followers of Christ to a man zealous to bring others to the Lord he had come to know.  It was his mission from then on to follow and serve the Lord, to tell his story and to preach the good news of salvation to the Gentile world that they, too, may come to the knowledge of the love of Christ for, in and through them.  Paul never seemed to take for granted the grace of God.  His work was propelled by the knowledge of all God had done to bring him into this new life.

Can we say the same thing?  Is the Good News burning in us, compelling us to share it?  Speaking personally, I know how easy it is for me to get so caught up in the day-to-day busy-ness of my life that I forget how I got where I am.  I stay busy doing the Lord's work but don't always pause to look back and see how far the Lord has brought me - that it's only by his grace and power that I do anything.  Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.  Freely you have received, freely give.  (Matt. 10:8 NIV) In other words, all that we do in the name of Christ and for his kingdom is done out of all he has done and is doing in us.

Look around.  Where has God placed you - what community, church, neighborhood?  Who has he sent your way, what are the needs, where is the one who doesn't yet know the love of Jesus?  Where is the one who is sick in soul, mind or body?  Who is Jesus asking you to minister to today?  We are not all called to stand on street corners and pass out tracts but we are called to give freely of the love we have so freely been given. Watch for opportunities and be willing to share your story, your heart, your time, or whatever the Lord might be asking of you.