Aware of Our Surroundings

I want you to know,

brothers and sisters,

that what has 

     happened to me

has really served

 to advance the gospel...

        Philippians 1. 12

Do we view the hard stuff

and difficult seasons

       of our life that way?

God is using us

  in impossible places,

 even among the rebellious, 

to bring the love, grace

and the name of Jesus 

  to this situation

  and in our relationships.

May we remember    

       the gospel here,

always aware

  of our surroundings,

and reaching out to those 

      all around us.

Even here

someone desperately needs 

        to know Him,

maybe even those

   who we would least suspect. 

O LORD,

You cannot change our hearts

without also changing our vision.

Please make us to know

that what we are experiencing

     didn't "just so happen,"

but You have designed this time

is an opportunity

  to love others to You.

Guide us into this day

and fill us with Your grace.

Help us to see this situation

    with gospel eyes.

Empower us with Your courage

   and love to bring You 

into our conversations

     and fueling what we do.