Who is next?




Let me trust the foundations laid by Jesus and not fear
what will come before me. 

Yesterday I met with a dear lady whom I have grown to love so much.  Last week we drove another precious couple to Everett.  These and many more of the older members of our church are so amazing to me.  Their faith, their struggles, their love, and their involvement bathed in Christ is so evident.  But spending time with them has caused me to ask some questions: The first one was: Who is next?  In our church and in churches over the nation, who are the individuals that will present Christ in such a powerful way. Who is the next generation?  I posed this questions to a friend of mine and she said...is it us?  Are we next?

I don't know about others but I am not ready.  I have so many questions that I have to answer before I would want to take the baton from these saints.

1.  Do I love enough?  Would I give up what is familiar to minister to the ones who need it because of my love for them in Christ?
2. Am I aware of the needs outside my circle?  Aren't I so self-absorbed that my vision is obstructed?
3. Do I have what it takes to pray?  I know that many of the Circle of Saints pray diligently for others, for missions, for the salvation of others, for MY prayer requests...
4. Am I ready to cry because somewhere my prayers were answered for fresh water?  One of these ladies did.  She was so excited that Haiti was able to get a well and have clean water that she cried.
5. Will I cry for the lost? Will I pray and speak up for the ones who are hurting? Will I seek and find those who need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ?
6. Will my faith be such that others can see and experience it right along side me?  Will I stand firm for Christ no matter what?

So many questions and the answer lies in Jesus.  In a one work answer to all of those questions...NO!  I am not ready.  I am willing to continue to sit at the feet of Jesus and find out all about Him.  I am aware of the inadequacies in me...but then I turn my eyes in the direction of the cross and realize that all I am is in Him.
 Jesus, help me and the others to be next.  Prepare us to stand firmly on the testimony of Christ and never let us forget the lessons of those who have come before us! AMEN