Posted on June 1, 2016 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters
“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” ~Philippians 2:13
I remember as a kid seeing the sign “Men at Work”. The only thing that meant to me was a play zone when they left for the day. Especially trying to dismantle those big battery operated blinking lights for a trophy in our bedrooms. Today I realize how dangerous that was to be interfering where there was “Men at Work”
Being in full time ministry can be a challenge when it comes to hurting men at the Colony. My first instinct is to come to the rescue of a man who is going through it, as if I have all the answers. Another mistake I’ve made was giving a guy a ride as he walks the dirt trail around our lower lake. I received some good advice early on, “Be careful not to interfere when God’s at work”.
I do believe there’s a time for a word of encouragement or to ask if everything is all right but that usually comes in the beginning stages of a man’s stay at the Colony. After he’s been there a while I’m very careful not to give unsolicited advice.
I know from experience that it’s in those quiet times alone or walking to work on that dirt road which has numerous scriptures hanging from the trees that God does His thing.
Philippians 1:6 tells us “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”. This concept doesn’t only apply to the men at the Colony, it is also a promise to anyone who is a follower of Christ. If you have a loved one who is not where they should be with the Lord, your first responsibility is to be praying for them. Then wait for God to do His thing and also make yourself available when the time comes to intervene.
Too many time has someone busted onto the scene to save the day only to interrupt the Holy Spirit’s work that was taking place. A good service to someone who is struggling is to let them know your there “IF” they need you. Having the discernment to know when to offer a word is the difficult task. I sometime wish there were those blinking barricades with a caution sign “God at Work”.
If you’re the one struggling today and your guilty of being dependent on others, maybe it’s time to set up a couple of “God at Work” signs around you and give Him a chance. If it is God who started a work, He is also faithful to complete it. Amen!
Written by Rob Russomano: Rob is married to Terri, he is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a full time staff member. He is also available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events.
The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 150; Proverbs 1
Daily Quote: “I used to ask God to help me. Then I asked if I might help Him. I ended up by asking God to do His work though me.” ~Hudson Taylor
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength. ~Isaiah 26:3-4
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