Three of our friends died from cancer within the last nine days. Two were seniors about our age, wife of university classmates. The third was the daughter of our former pastor, with children ten and eight years old. Two were committed Christians, the other received Christ while she was still alert in her dying moments.
We have been praying daily for family members and friends in need, and the list is getting longer and longer. At last count there were more than forty names: eight with cancer (including the three who passed away), three have other physical ailments, three with mental health issues, two have marital troubles, two have spiritual problems, and over two dozen relatives/friends/former colleagues who need to know the Lord.
What can we do in times like these? We do not have the abilities, boldness, or determination of leaders or the charisma and eloquence of influencers. We are just average folks living ordinary lives in these uncertain times. What should we do with the limited skills and resources available? One passage from Paul comes to mind:
- 1 Co 9:19-23 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more.
- To the Jews I became as a Jew so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law;
- to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law.
- To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may, by all means, save some.
- I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
Five times Paul stressed, “so that I might win.” We do not have the “five talents” (Mt 25:14-30) others have, but we can make use of the “two talents” we do have to save more. Evangelise and make disciples. I hope we can be “good and faithful servants” who will win more.
RayKLiu 