Thankful for those God has Used in My Life! The Unknown and Unmentioned
I have been reading through Scripture and studying about those who had an important role in God’s plan, but were mostly unmentioned. I began to think about how thankful I am for how God uses many people in our lives to move us toward His will and purpose who are behind the scenes, unnoticed, and unmentioned.
I think of Naaman’s (2 Kings 5) unnamed Israeli slave girl who cared enough about his bout with leprosy to encourage him to see the prophet in Israel who could heal him. When Naaman arrived, Elishia sent his servant out to tell Naaman to dip in the Jordon seven times but Naaman felt humiliated and left in anger. Fortunately for Naaman he had unnamed servants who cared enough about him to challenged him to obey Elishia’s direction; which he did and was healed proclaiming that “there is no God in all the world except in Israel.” (5:15)
I think of that the unnamed woman of Samaria (John 4) who came to Jacob’s well outside the city of Sychar, alone, and met the One who “knew all about her.” Jesus gave her the living water that became a “spring of water welling up to eternal life.” She then went back to her city and proclaimed “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” John 4:39 “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony.”
I have been the beneficiary of unnamed individuals in my life who God used to guide me to the place He had for me. Someone who corrected me or challenged me or spoke truth into my life even in casual conversation that caused me to rethink a decision or redirect me from the path I was on.
When I was looking for work after I was discharged from the Navy I was told to contact the uranium mines out by Grants, New Mexico. The mill and mine for SOHIO Uranium company was located 30 miles north of Laguna Acoma. I called, and the secretary set up an appointment for me to meet with the manager. I met with him and had a job when I left. I found out later that the secretary, whom I did not know, gave the impression she knew me. The manager hired me thinking I was a friend of hers. I was a new believer at that time. It turned out that she was a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. It was a job I needed and one that would be part of my journey to being called to vocational ministry.
1 Thess. 5:18 tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” The apostle Paul expresses his thanks for them in 1 Thess. 1:2, “We thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers.”
As we focus on Thanksgiving let me challenge you to remember those God used in your life to give you direction, correction, or counsel that helped you hear and follow God’s will.
Thank you, your family, and your leadership for serving our Lord Jesus Christ and His church! Thank you for your faithfulness, endurance, and perseverance in sharing the gospel in your Jerusalem, Judah, Samaria and around the world.
“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” 2 Thess. 3:16, 18
—John
