What Number Are You?WE WERE standing on a fire line in northern California. The division supervisor noticed my Fellowship of Christian Firefighters patch and began the conversation. It ...
|
|
Rick Barton, Fire Safety Officer; Rick Barton Ministries, Gunnison, CO; Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International Ambassador-at-LargeWHAT NUMBER ARE YOU?Whatever your number, the rewards are eternalWE WERE standing on a fire line in northern California. The division supervisor noticed my Fellowship of Christian Firefighters patch and began the conversation. It continues to amaze to me how a pin or patch that lets others know I’m a child of God opens the door to many and varied conversations. Our conversation immediately focused on Christianity, as we discussed God, Jesus, and the Bible. He wondered if Jesus was really the only way to know God. A myriad of other sincere, searching questions followed. Soon, it was time to resume our duties. I asked if I could pray with him and he readily consented. Then he said, “You remind me of Fred, the hot shot superintendent, I met two years ago. He told me the same things you shared. Do you know Fred?” “I [Paul] planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:6–9) I did know Fred from several fires we worked together, so my new friend and I talked about our mutual friend and even gave him a call. Then we prayed together. As the division supervisor and I parted company to resume our duties, I gave him a copy of Answering the Call with encouragement to read the inserted testimonies along with some of God’s Word each day. I assured him God would answer his questions. As I thought about it later, I realized this is what the apostle Paul was talking about in 1 Corinthians 3:5–9. One of us plants the seed of God’s Word in someone’s life. Another waters it, and yet another harvests. Then others begin the process of nurturing the new Christian. Most folks don’t accept Jesus the first time they hear the Gospel message. It may take four or five times before they make a commitment to the Savior. Our job is to be ready to share as he opens the door. We never know what number we are in that person’s life; and we never know if God is using us to plant seeds, harvest, or nurture; but whatever the role, the rewards will be eternal.
| |
|
|
You will need to enter a valid email address to sign up for AMG Publishers' eNewsletters.
Please enter a valid eMail address to continue.
-
Featured Resource
-
Special Offer
