What Can Happen In Carpool

It was last Spring.

I sat waiting on two little boys.  Lined up in carpool.

Minivan after minivan.  

Sometimes I have to squeeze it in.  

My Bible reading.

I am a firm believer in the power of a quiet, sacred moment in the mornings with Jesus.

But I am also an advocate for a "grab Him when you have a minute" moment, too.

He speaks in both.

I took maybe three minutes to read.

The book of Acts.  

Paul.

He was such a stud for Jesus.

Fearless. Flawed. And full of faith.

I never imagined God would give me a life verse, right there,

 in the carpool line at afternoon pick-up.

But I tell you.  I am an advocate.  Grab Him when you can and He will bless it.

My eyes read along the words.  Paul.  A Jesus stud.  Preparing himself to head out for Jerusalem, knowing good and well that "imprisonment and afflictions" awaited him.

Then my eyes stopped.  

Acts 20:24

 I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

There he goes.  Paul summing it up my life.  Right there.

In carpool.

My life is worth nothing if I am not running 

toward what Christ has call me to do...

It goes down kind of rough, I know.

And here is a beautiful thing, this isn't just my verse.

It is yours, too.

We are to testify to the gospel of God's grace.

The same mission, but different ministries.

Merriam defines ministry as 

the person or thing through which something is accomplished.  

The office or duties of a ministry.

We all have "office space" in this world.  

All called to accomplish this chief end...to testify to the gospel of God's grace.

His Gospel.

 Through you.  And me.  And us.  And her.  And him.  And them.  

Our lives are worth nothing if only we may finish the race set before us.  

So what does an East Tennessee mama in the carpool line do 

when God gives her a a clear thesis of the call on her life?

She takes a picture of her Bible.  On her cell phone.  And sends it to her Bestie.

I needed someone to know...God. Just. Spoke.

Grab Him when you can get Him.

He will use it.

What is your office space today?  Where is your appointed territory, if you will?

Is it raising your children?  Serving your family? 

 Is it going into the boardroom and investing in that co-worker?  

(You know the one who no one really likes.)

Maybe your office is soccer camp.  Or summer school.  Or the gym.

Maybe it is the swimming pool.  Or carpool.

{grin}

Grab a cup of Joe.  And go.

Get out the door and run.

Have a great day in the office.

Reflect and Respond:

What comes to mind when you read Acts 20:24?

 I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

How does God's "Gospel of grace" display itself in your life? 

Think of at least one way you can intentionally share Jesus today.

Power Verses:

Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. Ephesians 3:7

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God,who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. 

2 Corinthians 3:5-6a

Hats off to Jennifer Dalton for this awesome picture.
For more info on her work jenny1129@gmail.com