Second Back Row, Three Seats In

Acts 15:32 – Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers. (NIV)

When I was a teenager, the music director at our local church asked me to sing a solo for a Sunday morning service. We didn't have a big congregation, so it shouldn't have been a problem, but it was. When I came up to the platform, and faced the congregation, my palms began to sweat, and my heart went thump-thump-bump. For a split second, I was sure I wouldn't be able to sing a note.

Suddenly, my attention was drawn to a gentleman seated in the second back row, three seats in. He wasn't one of the leaders in our church, he rarely prayed out loud, he never taught a Sunday School class, or sang in our small choir. But he attended service regularly, and he often served as an usher, greeting folks at the door, shaking their hands, and welcoming them to the service. Today he was not ushering; he was sitting there, smiling at me. When I finally remembered the words of the song, and began to sing, he nodded encouragingly. After church, he came to me, and said how pleased he was to see a young person taking part in the service. Through my teen years, I often sang a solo in that little church, and every time I did, Mr. Myers nodded from the second back row, three seats in. He has now passed on to glory.

I tell this story to say "thank you" for people, like Mr. Myers, who are used by God to encourage others. We, God's children, are brought together — whether it is by modern technology, such as the Internet, or in our local church families — to minister to one another, and to our world. Today, let's ask God to help us encourage one another in the faith.

Prayer: Dear God, use us to bring encouragement to others. Thank You for those who have given faithfully of themselves to bring encouragement to us. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook