Oh, how much can change in a week’s time! Last weekend, I was deeply immersed in the experience of watching God at work through my dear friend Carlene Prince, who had come to share her testimony and music at the Son Broadcasting banquet. Since I dropped her off at the airport, we’ve had Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and many of my neighbors have put up their Christmas lights. Before the memories of last weekend’s events succumb to the busyness of the season, I wanted to be sure to capture some important thoughts.
Have you ever been host to a guest who relied on you, not just for food and lodging, but for transportation as well? Then you will know that you must lay down your own schedule, and normal routine for the sake of that guest. If this guest is a person of influence/importance, then your time table must defer to that of the guest. This was the case last weekend. By no means am I suggesting that it was a burden or unpleasant. I simply mean to set the stage for a greater understanding of a beautiful God moment.
Sitting in the “audience” at Abundant Life Christian Center in Belen, I had a jealous thought pass through my head. As I was watching Carlene share her music, I wished that I could be used in such a way. I wished I was more than just her driver. I must pause to say that my confession of jealousy is real, but God, in His goodness allowed me only a moment to stay in self-pity. He quickly showed me my role in His Kingdom work, and how even drivers play a very important part.
From church we went out to lunch with Pastor Barney and his wife Sandi. This conversation was full of life and Spirit and encouraged my heart. Through my brother and sisters in Christ, the Lord affirmed me, and reminded me that my desires, my prayers, and my talents were important to Him. I have no doubt that this lunch meeting set the stage for future ministry work that only God could have woven together.
The weekend I served being Carlene’s driver was necessary to remind me of important principles. First, I should never be too proud to carry out any job that the Lord has assigned me to. After all, it isn’t (and shouldn’t) be about me. Secondly, the tapestry that God is weaving together with the treads of my life, may have looked scattered and disjointed, but I was reminded that I was standing on the wrong side of His work. What, to my natural eyes looked like nonsensical patterns and colors, was the back side of the weaving. Had I been in front, observing the masterpiece for what it is, I would have seen purpose, design and artistry!
This last week, a classic movie continued to come to mind. The 1954 version of Sabrina, with Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn, is the story of a rich family with two sons, and the intrigue/love story that plays out with the chauffer’s daughter. While it’s a cute romantic comedy, I couldn’t help but think of one of the closing scenes with Sabrina’s father, the chauffer. With a grin on his face, he gives the stunning news that he has become quite wealthy. Throughout the years, he’d listened closely to the business dealings that had transpired in the back seat of the car he was driving. He learned when to buy and sell stocks, and came to learn about investment opportunities that a man of his position “shouldn’t” know.
God needs willing drivers. I want to not just be obedient if He calls upon me to chauffer, but to carry out the task with a willing, cheerful heart, ready to see what I can learn on the drive. If you have been put in a position to serve as a support to someone else’s ministry, don’t grow weary. God is so good, and knows your heart, desires and giftings. Allow this season to be one of great growth and education as you learn from those He’s called you to drive.
1 Corinthians 12 (various verses):
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. . . . For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
