It was early February when I heard God speak to me through a sermon that the key to victory begins with preparation. God has called us to the Great Commission, and I have failed to live up to it most of my life. As I listened to God’s Word to me, I asked Him to use me and to help me make up for lost time in partnering with Him to spread the good news. I, in turn, would work on being prepared, trusting Him to take care of the results.
Scripture tells us to always be ready to give a defense for the hope that is within us. It also emphasizes that the fields are white for harvest. It was while thinking on these Bible verses that the idea hit me -- volunteer to share the History of Easter as a story hour at a local library!
I was familiar with the ‘Brave Book’ promotion by Kirk Cameron to read stories with Godly principles at the local library. A few years back, I had assisted in a Brave Book Story hour. The organizer of that effort no longer was leading this charge because of the harsh battles she had to endure to make it happen.
But God is greater! I thought of Goliath challenging the armies of Israel and David as a youth volunteering to fight him. He was a young man after God’s own heart and how mightily he was used by the Lord to kill the giant. I was reminded how God likes to use the weak to show His glory, so I asked Him to use me, this broken jar of clay, to spread the glory of His grace, love and power displayed through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus. I did not want to be like Saul who, when God called him, had hidden amongst the luggage.
I took the first step forward and went online to reserve a room at the library on the Saturday before Palm Sunday when I would share the History of Easter with elementary school-age children. It took a month before I was ‘authorized’ to reserve the room. The only time ‘available’ at the library to reserve the room on that Saturday was 3:15 - 4:15 pm. It seemed such an odd time … but I knew God was in control.
The next battle was getting the word out. I was told by a librarian they do not publish online the events of volunteers, but the bulletin board at the entry of the library would be a place I could post an announcement of the event. So, I went home and made an announcement that I promptly placed on the board. It was mysteriously taken down! So here I was, finally given the green light to use the room just weeks before the event, but how would anybody even know about it?
I contacted the local paper, but they failed to post it. I advertised at the Katy Christian Ministries store on Mason Road, but I had no idea if anyone would come. I began soliciting prayer from my neighbors, friends, and my dear longtime friend on The Fellowship prayer team, asking for God to work.
The first answer to prayer came when a friend agreed to join me in this outreach. Then I was contacted by another family that wanted to participate – go God! So, the workers were in place.
On the day of the event at 3:15 pm, there was no big line awaiting the Celebration of Easter story time … actually, not even one child. I knew many were praying and God was going to honor their prayers. But I was also prepared to share for an audience of One (He is the one I serve). It is not the fruit, but the obedience that matters.
I set up a decorated table inside the library entrance to invite people as they arrived. A pretty little girl that looked to be from India showed interest, so her mom brought her in. It was just her, but I was going to begin. Her mom mentioned she could only stay ten minutes but ended up staying the whole time to hear the wonderful gospel message. As her daughter sat down in front of me, another little girl entered the room with her dad. The next time I looked up, I saw a mom and her precocious preschool daughter, a family of four, and a little boy all listening to the Good News of Jesus Christ! People who may never have been to church or heard of Jesus now know He lives!
God’s precious Word was sown! He took my willingness to be His messenger and the prayers of many and drew people in! Praise God for His Indescribable gift of salvation through the death and resurrection of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ!
Then he said to his disciples,
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to
send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:37-38
