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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
We Are All Prophets
November 16, 2005
Most of us think of Moses as a legend. He had God's ear. He was well
respected. He was a tremendous leader. He knew where God was taking
the people and anticipated what they needed. That's why he is regarded as
one of the greatest figures in history. As we read his story, we also know
he had some pretty strong associates. Aaron, Joshua and Caleb are all
mentioned as key figures in his time as the leader of the Israelite people.
In order to be successful, we all need people around us to help us get
things done. My friend Ray is that type of person. He is the kind of guy
you call if you have a problem. I called him when I needed a car for my
daughter. He found a great little car in excellent condition. The price was
right too! I called him when my furnace wasn't working right. I wanted to
know if he knew somebody who could fix it. He popped over and solved
the problem himself. We had a tree that was ready to fall down on our
neighbor's property. I was on the phone with Ray and he called up a
buddy. They came right over and took care of it.
Ray has another talent too. He is a prophet. Now Ray might not think of
himself that way. If you asked him about his gifts he would tell you he
was a "hands on" guy. He knows plumbing, electricity, cars and all kinds
of practical stuff. As to his faith, it is still growing and developing. He is
working it out. When he has a thought or a question about faith, he usually
comes to me with it. That's our little give and take arrangement.
I called Ray because my car window was broken. It went half way down
and got stuck. I tried to get it up and it wouldn't budge. He told me to take
it to the dealership and have them fix it. I dropped off the car and decided
to drive the church van. The next day, the window on the church van got
stuck too. I was beside myself and hopping around like a wet hen. "How
could this be? Was someone playing a trick on me? It was too much of a
coincidence." I talked to Ray on Sunday and told him the story. I asked
him if it could be vandalism. I asked him if someone could hit the door in
such a way to make the window break like that. I was being so practical. I
was also seeing dollar signs as I thought about having them fixed.
Ray looked at me and said, "You always say there is no such thing as
coincidence. Maybe God is trying to tell you something, Cal. It sounds to
me like God doesn't want you to close the window of opportunity that is
coming your way. Maybe he sent you this message to get your attention."
I stood there and looked at Ray, the prophet, and then I began to laugh. He
was right. It all made sense. It spoke to a situation that is current in our
congregation. Usually I am the one to see a message in everything. This
time I was too consumed in it to step back and see it. So God sent Ray to
open my eyes.
God did the same thing to Moses. You remember a fellow named Jethro?
He was Moses' father-in-law. He was a shepherd by trade. One day he
looked at what Moses was doing and how he was wearing himself out. He
went up to Moses and made a suggestion. Moses was dumbfounded. It
was so obvious but he hadn't seen it. God used Jethro to get his word to
Moses.
The truth is that God uses all of us. He gives us keen insights into things
that we can use to build up and encourage one another and the community
around us. So if God plants an idea in your head, share it and see if it bears
fruit. God doesn't just use the people in position of authority to shape the
world. He often sends you and me. We just have to be willing to let God
speak through us and share the message. That is what Ray did. I pray you
will too. You just might be the one who opens a window of opportunity
for the rest of us.
God bless. See you in Church. Cal.
November 16, 2005
Most of us think of Moses as a legend. He had God's ear. He was well
respected. He was a tremendous leader. He knew where God was taking
the people and anticipated what they needed. That's why he is regarded as
one of the greatest figures in history. As we read his story, we also know
he had some pretty strong associates. Aaron, Joshua and Caleb are all
mentioned as key figures in his time as the leader of the Israelite people.
In order to be successful, we all need people around us to help us get
things done. My friend Ray is that type of person. He is the kind of guy
you call if you have a problem. I called him when I needed a car for my
daughter. He found a great little car in excellent condition. The price was
right too! I called him when my furnace wasn't working right. I wanted to
know if he knew somebody who could fix it. He popped over and solved
the problem himself. We had a tree that was ready to fall down on our
neighbor's property. I was on the phone with Ray and he called up a
buddy. They came right over and took care of it.
Ray has another talent too. He is a prophet. Now Ray might not think of
himself that way. If you asked him about his gifts he would tell you he
was a "hands on" guy. He knows plumbing, electricity, cars and all kinds
of practical stuff. As to his faith, it is still growing and developing. He is
working it out. When he has a thought or a question about faith, he usually
comes to me with it. That's our little give and take arrangement.
I called Ray because my car window was broken. It went half way down
and got stuck. I tried to get it up and it wouldn't budge. He told me to take
it to the dealership and have them fix it. I dropped off the car and decided
to drive the church van. The next day, the window on the church van got
stuck too. I was beside myself and hopping around like a wet hen. "How
could this be? Was someone playing a trick on me? It was too much of a
coincidence." I talked to Ray on Sunday and told him the story. I asked
him if it could be vandalism. I asked him if someone could hit the door in
such a way to make the window break like that. I was being so practical. I
was also seeing dollar signs as I thought about having them fixed.
Ray looked at me and said, "You always say there is no such thing as
coincidence. Maybe God is trying to tell you something, Cal. It sounds to
me like God doesn't want you to close the window of opportunity that is
coming your way. Maybe he sent you this message to get your attention."
I stood there and looked at Ray, the prophet, and then I began to laugh. He
was right. It all made sense. It spoke to a situation that is current in our
congregation. Usually I am the one to see a message in everything. This
time I was too consumed in it to step back and see it. So God sent Ray to
open my eyes.
God did the same thing to Moses. You remember a fellow named Jethro?
He was Moses' father-in-law. He was a shepherd by trade. One day he
looked at what Moses was doing and how he was wearing himself out. He
went up to Moses and made a suggestion. Moses was dumbfounded. It
was so obvious but he hadn't seen it. God used Jethro to get his word to
Moses.
The truth is that God uses all of us. He gives us keen insights into things
that we can use to build up and encourage one another and the community
around us. So if God plants an idea in your head, share it and see if it bears
fruit. God doesn't just use the people in position of authority to shape the
world. He often sends you and me. We just have to be willing to let God
speak through us and share the message. That is what Ray did. I pray you
will too. You just might be the one who opens a window of opportunity
for the rest of us.
God bless. See you in Church. Cal.
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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