I love hearing stories of how Jesus is transforming people and using people to advance His kingdom. This past Monday, our church got together (I had to be out of town to preach at another church, so we moved our gathering back a day). We ate together, talked about life, and then I asked a question before we celebrated the Lord’s Supper:
“How has Jesus been working in your life recently?”
Wow…
Ricky and Shelby Lopez have overcome a lot of obstacles to get to where they now are–newlyweds figuring out how to honor Jesus. When I asked this question, they looked at each other and talked about Ricky deciding to take his Bible to work so that during his lunch break he could read Luke in preparation for our gathering to night. Ricky works construction. Construction workers typically aren’t known for reading their Bible over their lunch break. Ricky said the reactions of his co-workers varied from surprise to taunting. He wasn’t phased by it. Shelby then talked about how their son Mason has caught on to praying before meals. They’ve decided to adopt the custom of holding hands as they pray. They told us that Mason now holds out his hands automatically when they sit down to eat and finishes the prayers with his version of “Amen.” They’ve gotten this habit so ingrained that they pray before eating anywhere, and her family has started to notice and participate. Ricky and Shelby are now looking at starting a new faith community in their home, and they have some friends who are interested.
Margaret came out of a religious tradition that emphasizes personal effort to get right with God. She and her husband came to Discovery several years ago. It’s been amazing to see the change Jesus has brought to their lives. Margaret talked about her job as manager at the Augusta Co-op in Staunton. When she first got there, it wasn’t exactly a bright spot in the business community (and that’s putting it nicely). It’s taken several years, but she now has a crew that is learning how to work together and care for each other and their customers. Since coming under her watch, the Co-op’s reputation has improved greatly. Sales have gone up so much that Margaret will be able to surprise her workers with bonuses in time for Christmas. She’s told about how she now sees this a part of a process to bring Jesus into her workplace… of invading the Co-op and reclaiming it for the kingdom of God by showing her employees and customers the love of Jesus.
Jesus is definitely alive and well and doing amazing, remarkable things in the lives of people who formerly were far away from Him!
