Nuggets #35

An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus
Relating the Message
People have different levels of gifting; some have a unique anointing through which multitudes come to faith with what seems to be minimal effort.
Others establish one friendship at a time. Their strength is not the crowd or the masses. They are in no way social butterflies or honeybees that can move from one flower to another without any effort. Nevertheless, their relationships are committed to Christ, and - one person at a time - they build relationships deep into the lives of those who don't know Christ. Sometimes it takes years to see the fruit of their labor, but there is fruit in their labor. They are as faithful to an unbelieving world as those whose gifts are more obvious. Our commitment is not to become like someone else whose giftings flourish and inspire us all, but to be faithful in loving a lost and broken humanity and in opening up our lives to those who are willing to establish a meaningful relationship with a follower of God.

This final commitment is an investment of relationship. It is the fulfillment of the great commandment to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. It is a belief that God looks on how we treat others, care for others, and serve others as the genuine measure of what is in our hearts toward him.