Reprinted from Church on Morgan’s “The Daily,” Dec. 19, 2016
Hello Friends,
Three years ago, a close friend’s son went off to college. His father had died when he was 14, and now he was headed alone into the cold, cruel world. Even though he didn’t know me well I wanted to find a way to create a connection that would let him know our family loved and supported him and so did God.
As I considered what I could do, the Lord prompted this question in me: “How might this young man’s life be changed if you were faithful to send him a scripture verse each week for all four years of college?”
I created a weekly reminder in my iPhone and set about to find out.
A year later, my own son graduated and with him a group of boys who had become like sons to me. So, I added them to my weekly texts. I text them individually and sometimes add a personal note, but mostly I let God’s word stand alone.
At the end of last school year I texted, “Okay, last quote ‘til fall.”
My friend’s son responded: “If you don’t mind, I actually love getting them.”
Needless to say, I didn’t take the summer off from texting him.
What do I hope to accomplish through the sustained rhythm of this micro-ministry?
1) I didn’t learn the power of God’s living Word until mid-life but perhaps these boys will discover it sooner via 200-some texts.
2) Maybe they’ll encounter a dilemma or issue, and a verse will come to mind to guide them toward God’s will.
3) Or best of all, perhaps each of these men is sharpening his sword as Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:13-18
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your waist girded with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 having your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace, 16 and above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the fiery arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
How might you create a weekly rhythm around sharing God’s word?
Have a blessed week!
Nanette Kirsch
Each week’s email will be written by someone in our community and provide a few thoughts, insights, or experiences that have come from their own morning, meal time, and evening practices. If you would like to learn more about our “Shared Rhythm” you can read about it online or pick up a set of our “Daily Rhythm Cards” at Church on Morgan.
Faith Runner 