KidsGames connects with elementary-aged kids sharing the love of Christ through the playing of sports & games. As the children age out (12+), some teens jump in to serve as volunteers. Hess was one of those volunteers serving as a middle school student through high school after he was a participant for a couple of years. He will tell you KidsGames helped shape his faith learning more as a youth leader than as a participant. Funny, but when I was focused primarily on the elementary kids, Jesus was busy working in this young man and other teen volunteer’s hearts to follow Him.
“During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” — Acts 16:9-10, 12-14
Paul, along with Timothy, felt led to go preach to a man in Macedonia. While there, Lydia, a businesswomen, was listening as part of a larger group and his message ignited her faith into action. Paul was headed to Macedonia for X but God had Y in store. Lydia was the first businesswoman to accept Christ in Phillipi. She immediately gave herself, her network, and her resources for kingdom purposes– Wow! …. But I am here for a man standing in Macedonia Lord?!?
- Lydia was listening
- Lydia had resources
- Lydia desired purpose
It wasn’t Paul’s primary focus yet it was God’s primary purpose.
God will do whatever it takes to get you into position. Sometimes its a job, a passion, or vision that I think is the sole reason of acting when actually He is working in the still. What I think is secondary is someone’s primary. I believe each of us has a Lydia in our personal network. Go find her as you pursue Jesus.
Reflection |
We never know who is listening or watching. Hess is now a Harvard student. How has this increased your trust in your current situation?