What's your story?

This week I had the great pleasure and privilege of praying with a person who gave their life to Jesus. Can you remember when or if you have ever done this? Some people have known God their whole lives; others come to know him slowly, while for others there is a definite moment of recognition as they come to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour.A few weeks ago we had Paul Cowley from Holy Trinity Brompton, England talk at St Pips about how to develop a strong ministry to people who have just been released from jail. His story of coming to faith in Jesus was amazing. It was not until the age of 40 that somebody spoke to him and explained the gospel of Jesus. It was then that his life changed direction.My own father has known God and followed Jesus his entire life. His father (my grandfather) would take him to Sunday school and church each week as a young boy. It hurt my father deeply that his own father denied his faith mid life. Last Saturday my grandfather died at the age of 94. I am saddened by his death but I am mostly concerned for his eternal destiny. My youngest sister ministered to him in his final years, even at times having him sing the song “Jesus loves me this I know”. I cling to the truth for my grandfather that those who call on the name of Jesus will be saved. All we can do when we have lost loved ones who might not have known Jesus is believe that God is the perfect judge.Recently friends in Melbourne have had their first baby. They are obviously over the moon with their new addition and new role as parents. Last year they were baptized and are currently leading a small group and going from strength to strength in their walk with Jesus. They both slowly came to a saving faith in Jesus a few years ago when doing an Alpha course.These few examples that I have mentioned of people coming to faith are to encourage us in our own walk and our roles as missionaries.The person who came to faith this week is a seeker who has some Christian relationships. Paul Cowley had never heard the gospel in 40 years and was changed on the spot! My father was immersed in a Christian culture as a boy and has always known God. My friends in Melbourne belonged to a Christian community before believing.These stories show us that God knows how to save anybody at anytime in their lives. They show the power of God through his people and that people are desperate for the “good news”. As a church and as individuals we rightly take great joy in His saving acts and bask in His grace for us. But there is challenge for us as well. As Christians we have all been caught-up up in God’s great salvation story for the world and now have the privilege of telling people about it and seeing them join in the story for eternity.This week, pray to God and ask Him what He is saying to you as a missionary for Him and what you can do about it. Then ask for His Spirit to empower and fill you as you go about His great work.BlessingsJames