Mid-Week Musings

July 17, 2024

Suggested Reading: 2 Corinthians 6:1

Dear NBRC Family & Friends,

I recently read an article I’d like to share with you. This article, titled “Co-laborers with Christ,” originally appeared in ChurchArt Online’s Content section.

Co-laborers with Christ
Rusty Stevens, a ministry leader in Virginia, described trying to finish mowing the lawn before dinnertime. His 6-year-old son darted in front of him and grabbed the mower handle. But when Stevens stopped pushing, the mower soon stopped.

The busy dad fought the urge to tell his son to get out of his way and instead offered to help. Stevens began pushing again, leaning over and walking awkwardly to accommodate his eager assistant. Although the mowing commenced, it was slow-going and not as efficient as the solo effort.

That’s when Stevens realized a ministry parallel: “This is the way my heavenly Father allows me to ‘help’ him build his kingdom!” The church leader pictured God busy “seeking, saving and transforming the lost, and there I was, with my weak hands ‘helping.’”

Although God surely can tackle all the work of ministry and evangelism alone, he “chooses to stoop gracefully to all me to co-labor with him,” said Stevens. What a blessing and privilege that God lets us work alongside him!

Many of you are already working alongside God in ministry at and/or beyond NBRC. If you are, is God calling you to continue with what you’re doing, or might He be calling you to join Him in something new? If you’re not already working alongside Him, in what work might God be calling you to join Him? Are you willing to co-labor with Him?

Prayer suggestion: As you pray, ask God to help you to be willing to co-labor with Him.

Pastor Ron

(Next Sunday morning, July 21, the Scripture lesson will be from Mark 6:30-34. The sermon title will be Like Sheep Without a Shepherd.)