Answering the Call

Recently while attending one of our local churches, I was listening to a wonderful song by a beautiful young lady. One of the lines in the song went something like this: "I don't want to go through the motions, not even one more day, without your 'all-consuming passion' living inside of me."

While listening, I began taking notes about "His All-Consuming Passion." In my notes I wrote:

"His all consuming passion, does it dwell within my soul?
Do I let it leak out to others so they too will be made whole?
Do I keep it to myeslf and hide it away within my heart?
Do I store it in my mind instead of doing my reasonable part?

Jesus, help me share your passion for the lost you died to save.
Let my lips tell your story. Help me not to be afraid.
Please, Lord, help me sincerely give You away.
Your mercy meets me every morning and
Your grace pours into me, so
Encourage me, Dear Savior, in leading others to Thee.
I can never outgive you, Jesus, but let me live for you this day,
And only for Your Glory as I go about my way.
For Your blessings I am grateful. They have truly humbled me.
Move me with Your compassion to serve others faithfully.
Let me love as You love. Let me share Your grace,
As I look forward to someday meeting You face to face."

After the morning service we were invited to join the Amos Family for lunch and then to take part in the afternoon ceremony for Reverend Charles Amos who received the title "Pastor Emeritus."

Just before the afternoon ceremony began my husband's cell phone rang and one of our Signal 30 Officers notified him that a lady had been killed in a nearby car wreck and she was the 81 year old grandmother of one of our newest officers. Since my husband was on the afternoon program I took the car and went to the scene of the fatality.

While walking up to the site I began praying for direction in how to correctly work with the officers as well as preparing myself to help deliver the news: "She is dead. Her wounds were fatal." Her son was out shopping for her Mother's Day Gift when he was called to come home.

Two of our officers and I went to the officer's home where we met the family and made the notification. The officers gave the details of the tragedy and I supplied the hugs, compassion, and led in prayer.

Did I not just sit in church and pray: "Jesus, help me share Your 'all-consuming passion' this day?" Well, He did.

Matthew 7:7 says: "Ask and you will receive............"

Quoting Max Lucado from his new book: "Every Day Deserves A Chance", in writing about death notifications he said: "Each announcement is met with silence. Wailing or fainting may soon follow, but the first response is a shock-soaked silence. As if no heart can receive the words and no words can express the heart. No one knows what to say to death."

But is was into such a silence that Jesus urged: "Don't be afraid; just believe." (Mark 5:36 NIV) Soneone else once said: "Believe in the One Who Believes in you."