In the hangar, he pulled the torque wrench, steadily increasing pressure until it clicked. “250-inch pounds exactly,” he said to himself, confirming both instrument and manual. But deep satisfaction evaporated as he remembered the evangelist’s words, all too clear even in this newly acquired language. His stomach turned again, picturing going door-to-door with the congregation. “Lord,” he implored, looking up, “why did you bring me here?”

Across town, his wife asked her neighbor over tea, “But I don’t understand yet. What finally gave you the courage to turn away from tradition and follow Jesus?”

The woman laughed, eyes twinkling above discreet, knowing smile, “You missionary couples treat each other so well. After a few years I knew it was your heart, not a mask. I wanted that.”

We worry about ministry action, forgetting the Lord’s promise to remain with us. And in us. He goes where we go. He shines from hills we climb. His presence invades wilderness our feet tread. The truth is that the Lord’s living water gushes from the lives we live.

So, what happened the last time you tried to walk in someone else’s gift?

Joshua 1:1-5; John 7:37-39; John 13:34-35; Zechariah 14:3-9; Colossians 1:24-27; Matthew 5:14-16