Just Where He Needs Me.

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV).
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.

I had an interesting encounter today prior to our Church service.

I was at the Service Station, minding my own business, waiting for Nat to buy some much needed refreshments, when I had a tap on my window.

A tall, rough (?) looking man wearing a Bikie Jacket wanted my attention.  I rolled down the window and he proceeded to ask me if I was religious and could I pray for him as his fiance had just died (last week) of an overdose.  He didn't understand why this had happened as he loved her very much.  Apart from his grief there was confusion as he had people telling him, that if she loved him so much, she wouldn't have done that. - He was understandably shaken up.

He said he didn't believe there was a God, but wondered if I'd pray anyway.

He was shattered and was trying to get some help.  He had called the Grief Line and wondered if the person on the other end had had any similar experience as he had had this week.  He wanted me to pray, also, for a service to be provided for people in his circumstance - but with advice given from people who had been through actual experiences - not just some one to talk to on a telephone.

I took his details and said I was on my way to Church and would pass on his details and circumstances to my Ministers for further action/prayer.

I cannot help but wonder why he chose to speak to me.
Simple....  I was in full Salvation Army uniform - That would be it !

What a responsibility we as Christian / Salvo's have in the community.  There is such great respect for us as an organisation, but to do nothing - in my opinion - would be irresponsible.

It got me thinking about what Spiritual Gift(s) I have  - if any ?

In my case, I don't believe it is necessarily the gift being able to talk to people - but as my employment demands it, maybe somethings are becoming more obvious.

My passion is music - and has been since I can remember, but as time goes on (and so does age, experience, understanding (?) and growth in "spiritual things"), the passion for people is becoming more evident.

There has to be more than just sitting back on Sunday morning and "playing" our part.  I know we can't all give up our weekly employment and become Minister's or Missionary's, but there has to be more about "just where I am" than means that I (we) can become more useful for God's kingdom here in this place.

SASB 706.
What can I say to cheer a world of sorrow?
How bring back hope where men have sorely failed?
Just where I am I'll speak the word of comfort,
Tell how for me Christ's sacrifice availed.

Chorus
Just where he needs me, my Lord has placed me,
Just where he needs me, there would I be!
And since he found me, by love he's bound me
To serve him joyfully.

What can I do to ease life's heavy burdens?
What can I do to help mankind in need?
Just where I am I'll share my neighbour's hardship,
Lighten his load, and prove a friend indeed.

What can I do to justify my living?
What can I be to make this life worthwhile?
I'll be a voice to call men to the Saviour,
Just where I am, and win my Father's smile.


Lord, help me be a light in this world so that others can see you in and through me.
Give us strength for new challenges that take us out of our comfort zone.
May your presence be near when we take steps to assist others.
And give us the right words to say when we have no words of our own.

Jesus we praise you - now more than ever,
For you alone are worthy of our praise, our praise.
Jesus we need you - now more than ever,
Your Spirits power we claim for each and every hour.
Jesus we love you - now more than ever.
For you first loved us more than we could ever love.
Jesus we bless you - our hearts rejoice in you,
Now more than ever.