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My previous post ‘Cursed is the One…’ was about how we often depend on our own strength, instead of that which is always readily available to us.

Today I want to talk about the dangers of thinking we’re the only one. The only one experiencing a situation, the only one who can do the job, the only one who can carry out a ministry for God, the only one…. How often do we think like that? Sometimes we wear it, like it’s an achievement or mantle that’s been given to us, and only us.

The reality is that if we’re going through a problem, a challenge, a difficulty, there is always someone else who has experienced it before us. Seek God for help and He’ll either answer you directly or bring someone else into your life who can assist.

If we have been given a ministry we need to act accordingly and not sit on it, but act on faith as God would have us do. There have been many stories told about God placing someone else into a ministry when the person appointed does not carry out their duty.

It is important we do not make the mistake of assuming that we’re the only one that God can use in a situation. He is not a respecter of persons and can call on any number of people and usually does. How often do we hear of ‘waves’ or ‘fads’ hitting places around the world because many people have been called to do the same thing?

You may have heard that ‘you might be the nearest person to Jesus’ that someone will ever know. That is very true - for this very moment but if you don’t follow through then someone else will follow who can take your place. However, consider this for a moment. Suppose you missed your ‘calling’ to witness to someone in the workplace - you know you should but you’ve just not summoned up the courage. And then something happens to that person as a result of a decision or action they take because they do not know Christ. And someone else steps forward and witnesses to them and brings them to Christ. How would you feel? Could you have prevented the trouble they’ve experienced through introducing them to Christ earlier? You’ll never know whilst you’re on this earth but don’t let your indecision affect someone else’s life.

For my part, a couple of years ago I had a client I knew I should be witnessing to. I tried, but shied away often whenever we got near the subject. One evening whilst at his office assisting with an important job, he seemed troubled and shaky. I asked him if he was ok and he said yes, just had to sort some things out. The prompting of the Spirit was intense for me to speak openly with Jim and I struggled with it - it was late, I wanted to get home, I could talk to him another time perhaps. The time was actually perfect but I never acted on it. Two days later I got a phone call from his wife. Jim had a heart attack that night and died the following day. I never got to tell him what I wanted to tell him and the sorrow I experienced at that was immense. I could only pray and hope that someone else got to speak to him before he passed away but I’ll never know until the time I’m called to be with the Lord. Will I see Jim there too? KMT