His master said to him, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." Matthew 25:21
An elderly, housebound widow became discouraged with her life. Unlike many others in her condition, she decided not to throw in the towel or veg out. Still able to play the piano, she placed a small ad in the community newspaper: "Pianist will play hymns by phone daily for those who are sick and despondent--the service is free." The notice included the number to dial. When people called, she had a simple question, "What hymn would you like to hear?"
Within a few months, her playing had touched several hundred people. The old, familiar hymns stirred many hearts, and those hearts unburdened themselves to her listening ear.
When I first heard that story, I thought, “Not bad for a lady who couldn’t get out of the house.”
It’s sad that so many people, in situations far healthier than that of this lady, would give up on life even as they give into discouragement. That is certainly not what God wishes for His people.
The Lord has given gifts and talents to all of us. Sometimes those gifts of grace come in abundance; sometimes they are in relatively short supply. No matter their amount, they can all be used to glorify the Savior who gave His life as the sacrifice to save us.
God can always use a soul that cares; He can always direct hands that are willing to reach out –including ours. Writing/recording this message, I cannot guess the nature of your particular situation, nor have I been given prophetic knowledge concerning the gifts God has given you. But I do know the Lord wants you to use His gifts to touch others.
From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"
THE PRAYER: Dear God, feeling useless is not what You wish for Your people. Please show me Your purpose for my life, so that I may recognize what You already know: in Jesus I have been given a life of value, a life that can make a difference. In His Name, Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
Today's Bible Readings: Jeremiah 7-8, 26 Acts 28
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