I just have to tell this amazing story about what happened at my church this morning. Today a 61 year old man gave his heart to Christ for the first time, because a 6 year old boy did what God was telling him to do.

Barney’s wife has been attending our church for a time and early on asked pastor to pray for Barney. So, of course, pastor prayed. Well, this morning as people scurried around the campus setting up tables and putting out pitchers of coffee, Barney arrived at the church. Seeing a new face, pastor greeted him and began chatting. As soon as Barney said his name pastor knew that this was the Barney that he had been praying for. Barney had never been to our church before, so pastor began to show him around. As they stood looking over our new property, Caleb came through the door behind them. Caleb jumped right into their conversation, as kids tend to do, and asked pastor if he could be baptised. Pastor asked Caleb if he had given his heart to the Lord, which Caleb assured him he had done, so pastor took a moment to pray with Caleb. When he was done praying he looked up at Barney who was visibly moved by what had just happened.

Barney then told pastor that he wanted some of that. Pastor asked Barney if he needed to rededicate his life and Barney said that he did not think he had ever given his heart to the Lord. So right there in the grass behind the church building, before the service had started, without any sermon, without any music, Barney prayed the sinners prayer and gave his heart to the Lord. All this because God gave Caleb instructions and he followed them. Talk about getting out of the way and letting God work.

In talking to Caleb’s mother I found out that Caleb had actually given his heart to the Lord over a year ago, but had not wanted to be baptised. His parents often wondered why. Well, this morning they recieved their answer. God was working all of this in order to save Barney.

Hearing this story I became very convicted. How many times has God given me instructions and I have chosen not to follow them. How many lives could He have touched through me if I would have just done what He was telling me to do. How many more souls could He save if all of his people would just listen when He talks. My prayer for myself would be that I could have some of what Caleb displayed this morning. At 6 years old Caleb did not have any of the fears that we as adults have; will they think I am strange if I do this; is this the right time; what if I say the wrong thing? These kinds of doubts and questions go on and on whenever God is directing us to do something. We need to remember that we do not have the right words to say. We can not do the things that God is asking us to do. We are not good enough, we are not mature enough spiritually, we are not strong enough. It is only by the grace of God, and through His strength that we can do the things He instructs us to do. For me, knowing that it is “not by my strength, but by his strength” is very comforting and makes the thought of sharing my faith much easier.

So, are you listening to what God is telling you to do. When you see someone at work, or in public that is hurting, or struggling do you feel drawn to that person? Do you feel an urge to comfort them? Do you feel the need to pray for that person, or to pray with that person? Chances are these feelings are God telling you to reach out to that person. When you feel this and start to doubt, remember Caleb and Barney. When we all get to heaven Barney will look at Caleb and know that he made to heaven because Caleb was willing to follow God’s instructions.  Will there be anyone in heaven because you did what God was telling you to do?