What Else Was the Result?

Luke 7.36-50

So many things happen, which God has connected and used together, yet we often don’t notice.  Which is one of the reasons we offer moments in worship some weeks to hear of how someone is walking in faith.  Yesterday being one of those days.  And out of that comes a more involved story of God at work.  But the pieces only come together as we hear more speaking together of what has happened.

I had someone call me this morning to tell me about a piece of this.  Being in the hospital and having the service on the phone or laptop.  He had met his roommate the night prior and conversed some.  But as he was watching the service, the doctor came in to see his roommate.  When the doctor left he put the service back on.  It “happened” to be at the moment when we heard testimony.  Testimony of one who had been rescued from a drug overdose and now has been through recovery, and continues.

This is what was now heard by the roommate.  He came over to the other one after to tell him how meaningful that was.  He had tears in his eyes as he told how that had been his story as well.  Having come out of addiction and homelessness.  He wanted the church to hear his gratitude for continuing to work with people in need.

Which connects back to Sunday morning.  When the two women came into church that morning, they talked to me and asked if they were there on the correct week.  In all the things of the week, I had forgotten to put it in the worship order, and had forgotten all about it on Sunday.  They said they could come another week, but I was certain they needed to do it that service.  Didn’t know why, but it had to be.

The reason it was scheduled for that week was that we had tried for the same thing in the summer and fall but it did not work until this past Sunday.  All of these things came together for the one moment in time when the testimony could be made and the right person could hear.  God at work.

I believe the moment was right for others to hear this same message.  But even if it was just for the one, it was right.  And it brings me to today and the conversations after.  Bringing me to this text, not because I think of our time of testimony coming from a sinful woman, but because it relates to the fact that Jesus went to the one who had need and who was ready to receive grace from God.  Not one that the Pharisees wanted to include.  But what would have been missed if Jesus went with the Pharisees wishes?  What happens when we miss the places where God is working, even if it disturbs us a bit, or a lot?

My answer to both questions is that when we miss, God still acts.  He will invite us to take part.  He will bring us in to see what he is doing.  We need to see.  We need to be willing to get hands dirty and take part.  And he does amazing things with us, in us, around us, in spite of us.  Don’t miss God at work.  He never disappoints.  And he invites us in to be part of it.