Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Why am I doing this? Part 2

From Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together:

God has put this Word into the mouth of men in order that it may be communicated to other men. When one person is struck by the Word, he speaks it to others. God has willed that we should seek and find His living Word in the witness of a brother, in the mouth of man. Therefore, the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God's Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain or discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother man as a bearer and proclaimer of the divine word of salvation. He needs his brother solely because of Jesus Christ. The Christ in his own heart is weaker than the Christ in the word of his brother; his own heart is uncertain, his brother's is sure. [p. 22-23]

The other day a plant lover mentioned that everything she plants for herself dies, but what she plants for others flourishes. This seems to exemplify how you can't minister to yourself. The Word has to be shared to be received.

3 comments:

Connie said...

being your friend has strengthened my own faith and joy in the Lord... thank you for being willing to be an instrument in the Lord's hands to bring him glory!!

i read your blog each day and it inspires me

Connie

Connie said...

something i had read that really stuck with me was that "God never wastes our pain" he uses it in ways we could never imagine... somehow knowing that makes it easier somehow in light of eternity

Leigh said...

Glad you are writing.