”Ministry Follows Faith Testing”
(Published SGNScoops Magazine September 2011)
I’m so excited to introduce my Grandmother this month! There’s not another person, in my eyes, that illustrates this month’s topic of “faithfulness” like she does. I will introduce her later, but first- let’s look at “Faith.”
In the Christian life, everything begins and ends with faith. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:2 that God initiates AND perfects it too. First we step out in faith, and then we walk in faith. As we’re walking, God will test our faithfulness. When we pass the faithfulness test, God will lead us into new realms of ministry requiring a new leap of faith. Following an intense time of faith-testing, a God-initiated ministry will emerge. I believe our Christian life follows this cycle until we’re called home.
The Discipleship Tools website gives a great explanation of faithfulness: “Faithfulness is the Fruit of the Spirit we give to God so He can change us inside and out. It is the ability to take what Christ has done in us and be a blessing to others with loyalty and trust. Faithfulness goes against modern psychology and society’s thinking, as it requires us to move beyond ourselves, whereas psychology tells us to be selfish putting ‘me’ first, rearranging the world to {meet} our needs which creates self-destruction and broken relationships. We have to keep the goal of faithfulness in our minds always, as it will allow God to work deeper in us then we respond to His call.”
Everyone LOVES new assignments, but no one likes what it takes to get there. No one likes tests, but you can be sure that if you are experiencing an intense period of testing- let me just say, “Congratulations- God’s about to do something in your life!” Relax and know the testing period is the tough part and God will be faithful when you are unfaithful, for He cannot deny who He is (2 Timothy 2:13). When we lose a battle during the test, we have to get back up, own it and ask for help. God is faithful enough to give more chances for us to get it right. God does require obedience, but He also looks at the heart. He’s not impressed with flawless performance or perfect behavior. More than anything, God wants us to be faithful to be honest before Him. He wants us to be faithful to OWN our sin and/or weakness and be faithful to continually depend on Him for help. When we’re faithful in honest communication with Him, we’re on the right track of passing the test. The truth is, God’s work in us will develop the quality of faithfulness if we are faithful to admit we can’t do it ourselves.
There is always a sigh of relief once the test is over, but just about the time we slide into a new comfort zone, God nudges us right out of it! When God initiates ministry- it’s going to be impossible to pull it off on our own. As the Holy Spirit initially whispers the call, our flesh responds in resistance. “I can’t do that, I’m not qualified, experienced, or trained,” we whine. “Lord- not me, I’m broke,” we contest. “Lord, not me I’m too old,” some of us wail. Yes, I admit I’ve used “I’m too old!” That excuse didn’t work for Moses; it didn’t work for me OR my Grandmother.
My Grandmother stepped into a relationship with God 60 years ago. To celebrate her spiritual birthday, she spent
time in prayer at the little church where she placed her faith in Christ. If Grandmother were writing, she would be quick to say, she’s never looked back since deciding to follow Jesus.
During her 60 years, God blessed her faithfulness and granted her many ministry opportunities. In her younger days, she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, served on the church board and filled many roles within the local church. In fact, she’s been faithful to attend church three times a week- and joined only 3 different ones in the whole 60 years.
In addition to church ministry, Grandmother had a special talent for creating beautiful flower arrangements. As a florist, she kept her church decorated each season and brought countless smiles to shut-ins, friends and family with her gift of flowers. When Grandmother wasn’t able to keep up with making the flower arrangements, she devoted herself to a vital prayer ministry. For many years, every Thursday was her day to lock herself inside the church and cry out to God on behalf of her family, church family and friends. I’m sure that’s why I’m saved and am in ministry today. A lot of people would have been done with serving the Lord by age 85, but not my Grandmother. At age 85, still longing to share her faith, the Lord opened the door for her to write and publish her life-story and testimony. Grandmother released her first book “I’ve Come, Lord” three short years ago.
In July 2011, my sweet Grandmother suffered a stroke and was sent to a nursing home for rehabilitation. For the first time in 60 years, she was sure that ministry was over. “Many times I have walked the halls of this very place bringing flowers, candy or gifts. I always noticed the little ladies sitting in their wheelchairs in their rooms- I was on the outside lookin’ in. I never dreamed that I would someday be the one in the wheel-chair lookin’ out,” Grandmother explained. “When I got here, I just knew my time was over, that God was done with me and I began to cry- but you know what, Rhonda? God put me here- He is still on the throne! He knows there are people here that I’m supposed to tell about Jesus,” she said waving her little hand.
Grandmother passed her faithfulness test and God began to open new doors of ministry for her at age 88, right there in the nursing home! Her smile and kindness infiltrated the building, and she’s been giving out her books left and right too. She’s been there for a few weeks and everyone knows her- the patients and the entire staff. She’s often called upon to open activities with prayer. Maybe she’s called upon because she gave all of her BINGO prize money away-with a cheerful heart! As she rolled past another patient the other day she asked, “How are you?” “Angry,” he replied. “I’ll be back to see you, then,” she said. Without a doubt, Granny’s on a mission! The other day she told me, “I don’t know if I want to leave here, but when I do- I believe I’m gonna write another book!”
My Grandmother’s picture is in God’s album of faithful heroes and I want my there too. To get there, we have to start with being faithful in our honesty with God admitting we can’t be faithful without His help. Thank goodness HE that started the good work in us WILL perfect it in my Grandmother- Juanita Cronnon, in you and in me to the very end! And as my Grandmother would say, “Well, Glory be to God!”
Reference: (http://www.discipleshiptools.org/apps/articles/default.asp?articleid=36691&columnid=4166)