When Did God Show Up?

A few weeks ago five ministers gathered for lunch in one of our churches. The leader for the day invited us to think of one event in our ministry when God showed up. We were asked to tell a story of a time when it was clear God had used us as his agent to accomplish something that mattered.

I wish you could have been there. One pastor told of showing up in a rural district, his very first pastoral assignment. As he talked with the folks he found out they owned property for a new church. The building they were in was decrepit. He became strongly convinced God had called him there to build a church. And they did--against large odds. As soon as the church was up, even before they had occupancy, he was moved. But he knew that God had sent him to that church for that mission.

Another pastor told of losing his temper publicly while dealing with a chronically disruptive woman. He was terribly embarrassed. But over the next months, God clearly used his "inappropriate" outburst as a catalyst to move the church out of deeply entrenched dysfunction into a new and healthy life. God showed up. God used him.

There were other stories that day. Good ones. I left encouraged, warmed. More confident in God and closer to my friends in the ministry.

We all stumble at times. Most of us are sometimes painfully aware of our inadequacy. But God called us into ministry. He chose us as agents of the Kingdom of Heaven. And sometimes he lets us know we've done something significant for our Master.

What's your story? Rehearse it often. Keep it vivid in your mind.

And the next time you're with clergy friends, ask them their story. When did God show up--unmistakably--while they were engaged in his service.