The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
(Friends: I wrote the following on Tuesday of this week. The story I include about seeking to help a woman happened more than a decade ago still blesses me all these years later. Especially now, in light of a similar episode that happened after writing the message.
After writing the following this past Tuesday, I went to a grocery story later in the day. As I turned onto the soft drink aisle, I saw another lady, again, in a motorized scooter attempting to reach some bottles. I thought in my heart, "Lord, is this another opportunity such as I just wrote about?" It was, of course. I offered the lady my assistance, which she accepted. As I placed the soft drinks in her basket, I told her I was a pastor, and that I had just written about a similar incident that happened many years earlier. She smiled enthusiastically, spread her arms, and said, "Send me!" (note the title of the message below, which I had not mentioned to the lady). We shared a few more moments talking about the Lord's goodness, and I walked away feeling completely overwhelmed and amazed.
I tell the Lord when such things occur, "Heavenly Father, You sometimes make Yourself so obvious it's hard to walk by faith." God can indeed make Himself known in ways far beyond our expectation and comprehension. We rejoice in such times, and know they will strengthen us for the present norm of "Not by sight." Of all the dear lady could have said in response to my aid, she chose " Send me" regarding the matter so similar to the event I had just written about, and far more, the very title of the message. I must be honest about this. If in Heaven I find out the lady was actually angelic rather than human, I will not be surprised (Hebrews 13:2). One thing is certain: she was sent because the Lord knew what a wonder it would be in my heart, and I trust, in yours. Thanks, Glen).
"Send Me"
God is a sender.
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (I John 4:19).
"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me" (John 15:26).
Of course, we fully understand the sending of the perfect Son and the perfect Holy Spirit to fulfill the Father's purposes. However, He also purposes to send others far less than perfect for the same. "As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you" declared the Lord Jesus Christ to His disciples, and ultimately, to all who trust Him (John 20:21).
Do we view ourselves as "sent?" We should. We must. As we trust and submit ourselves to God, believers must view our goings as directed by Him. "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord" (Psalm 37:23). We walk the paths of providence not merely to fulfill human determinations, plans, desires, and responsibilities. We rather live to according to divine designs, as God's sent ones. This includes the neighborhood in which we live, the workplace wherein we labor, the church we attend, the marketplace where we shop, and any and all places to which we go first and foremost to represent our Lord as His ambassadors. "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).
What a glorious purpose and reason for our existence this imparts to our hearts and our goings! I remembered this one day long ago, when entering a grocery store, ostensibly to shop, but far more, to go as sent. I prayed accordingly as I entered the store, which led to an encounter I will never forget.
Passing through the cake mix aisle (my favorite venue in every grocery store), I encountered an elderly woman sitting in a motorized vehicle. She gazed toward a high shelf, and seemed as if she might attempt to reach for a box. I offered to help, seeing that it would be difficult for the woman to negotiate the distance between her vehicle and the item. A huge smile lit up her face as she responded, "Oh no, honey, I've got all my groceries. I'm just looking to see what they have for next time!" I was not prepared for that which followed. Or actually, I was, in light of having remembered my primary reason for being in the store. "Thank you so much!" said the lady. That is so sweet of you, praise the Lord, and you are so kind!" I responded that she was more than welcome as we proceeded to share together our mutual faith in the Lord Jesus. Yes, she was sent for me, I was sent for her, and we were both sent by the Father who so graciously weaves His purpose into His children's goings.
Sent. We all are, as God's trusting sons and daughters in Christ, including the primary journey upon which He daily sends us:
"But as for me, I will come into Thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple" (Psalm 5:7).
The indwelling Holy Spirit works within us to send our spirits Heavenward to the throne of grace, from which the Father then sends us to wherever He wills. For some, this. may include long missionary journeys to faraway lands. For most, the sendings involve the venues mentioned above. Of course, some believers find their physical goings limited by circumstance and infirmity. Their spirits are not bound, however, and their journeys to God's throne for prayer and communion with Him may well dwarf in effect the ventures of those more able to physically move about. Whatever the case, let us see ourselves as we are, as those honored to go with God, as sent by Him, and directed with His abiding Holy Spirit who leads and enables us for our journeys. The prophet Isaiah perhaps said it best and most succinctly…
"Here am I. Send me."
(Isaiah 6:8)
Weekly Memory Verse
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God."
(Deuteronomy 9:7)
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