Spirit - led choices

Acts 12 : 24 - 13 : 5

It is always very affirming when we submit to the Spirit's guidance. Man made pragmatic and rational decisions usually seem good at the start but as time goes on, there may be indications of rash judgment. The disciples were exemplary in the way they prayed and fasted and allowed themselves to be guided. There were a number of men (teachers and prophets) who seemed well qualified among them. But it was the Spirit who 'chose' Barnabas and Saul for His purposes.

In my own experience, it was very affirming to be 'called' into the lay counselling ministry. I was not even aware that the training was on but the person in charge encouraged me (and some others) to apply to join. I would like to believe that the Spirit does guide leaders to place people in different ministries, based on their abilities, interests and giftings. Or perhaps leaders can discern together with the people they 'call' about the appropriateness of the ministry they are being invited to consider. But I think very often, the church so lacks 'volunteers' that anyone and everyone is accepted without further discernment. This sometimes leads to a situation where gifts and ministries do not match and there is a lack of vitality and creativity among the 'volunteers' to develop a particular ministry. The early church, being Spirit filled and led may be a 'model' for us to consider today.

I was pleasantly surprised when I was shopping for groceries yesterday to meet a 'mentally challenged' (not very severe but noticeable) person employed in the supermarket. I was looking at biscuits while he was stacking new stock on the shelves. He volunteered to help me make a choice explaining how his mother taught him to eat biscuits dipped in Milo and which brand is good for that. Despite his condition, he seems to know how to make the best of his otherwise tedious work, by connecting with people. I find it interesting that such people tend to be less cautious with strangers, more open to sharing and caring that we so called 'normal' ones!!

In the evening I remembered that I had a movie called "I am Sam" and started watching it. As usual, with thoughtful shows I watch in parts and give myself time to process in between. The story is about a mentally challenged man who has a daughter. The mother of the child leaves him and he brings up the girl singlehandedly, with some help from his group of mentally challenged friends. The sad part comes when the child outgrows her father in mental capacity......the teacher reports that she gets stuck in her school work because she doesn't want to go beyond her father whom she loves and respects despite him being 'different'.

I will have to continue one of these days.........