Last summer Diane and I were part of a wedding in Milwaukee and stayed at a lovely bed and breakfast in the city. When we arrived at our lodgings that evening, the host and hostess, a husband and wife team, were wonderful people, very friendly, and it didn’t take too long for us to establish that they were Christians. When they found out that I was a pastor, they began to pour out their hearts about the ministry of bed and breakfast. There were hardships and discouragement seemed always at the doorstep.

As we prepared to leave the next day, we were talking with the hostess, and I felt led to share a verse with her…

And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.” Colossians 4:17 (ESV)

Sometimes you are able to see the incredible power of the word of God, and this was one of those times. Upon hearing the words of Paul the Apostle, the eyes of this woman brightened, and it was almost like she couldn’t wait to go look it up and think it over for herself. We bid her goodbye, and remarked together about it, then thought no more of it.

Imagine our surprise when a few hours later she texted me a picture – she had stenciled this verse at the top of a wall in her office. The Lord had spoken to her, and by His grace, she was going to fulfill this ministry of B & B that she had received.

How about you? How has God gifted you…and what has He given you to do? Have you let your hands grow slack? Have you been sidetracked with lesser things? Or, by His grace, are you in the process of fulfilling his particular calling on your life? Here’s a scary thought: It seems to me that the very idea of Paul charging Archippus in this manner means that it was theoretically possible that this man would safely arrive in heaven – praise the Lord – and yet would arrive not having fulfilled the ministry he had received. What a tragedy that would be, right?

Therefore, if I may boldly do so today, I charge you in the name of Christ: whatever He has given you to do, however He has gifted you…see to it that you fulfill the ministry you have received…in Him.

For tomorrow, Friday, August 14: 1 Thessalonians 1