I met a troubled young man a number of years, whose name was Bob Gray.   He had a difficult childhood that caused him to believe he had no value to God or others.   He tried many times to make a success of his life, but according to the world’s standards, he was a failure.   Prompted by the Holy Spirit I decided to do the best I could to disciple Bob (Matthew 28:19-20).  I must say it was a privilege to think God could entrust some of his spiritual growth to my shepherding care.  But to be quite honest, I believe I gained more from Bob’s friendship than all the help I gave him.  Bob really never did make it in the world, but there was one talent he had about which hardly anyone knew (I Cor. 12: 4-6).   He could write poetry like no one I have ever known.   In response, I asked Bob to write a poem for a book I was writing about discipleship.   The poem he wrote for me was titled “His Race Has Ended, Our Race Begun.”   When I first read it, I could not keep the tears away.   It took me months to finish the book, “Mission Possible.”  But when it was done, I flew to Seattle to show Bob, because I wanted him to see his poem in the opening chapter.  But I arrived too late; Bob had passed away the week before. 

Noontime darkness

Who blocks the sun?

                                       His race has ended,

Our race begun.

Anguished cry,

The veil is rent,

It is finished,

His life’s blood spent.

Down it trickles,

That precious flow,

Giving life

To those below.

Then cut down

A tomb to lay.

Resting silent,

For one more day.

Bringing spices,

That new day’s done,

They came to Him,

But He has gone.

Freeing us all,

From Satan’s prison,

Hallelujah!

He is risen!

Reigning with God,

His rightful place.

Oh soon we’ll see,

His precious face.”   (Matthew 28:5-6)

“Bob!  one day I will see your precious face, and what a joy that will be.”

Teachable Moment

In your teachable moment, sit down with your children and ask them to make a list of the most needy people they know.   Have your children pick one out of the list that is the most needy, one the world has rejected, one in which the world sees no value (Matthew 25:45).   Spend time praying for this one person.   Then have your children make up a card that will affirm and minister to this person, and send it to them.

Word of God

Matthew 28: 19-20  19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  20  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I Cor. 12: 4-6   4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6  There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.

Matthew 28: 5-6  5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6  “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.”

Matthew 25:45  “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’