Finding Nemo
Nemo was a prodigal son. He ran away from his dad and got into a lot of trouble. But through all this experience he learned his lesson. With all that he learned he was able to help a family friend Dory out of her trouble, and also unexpectly, he helped lots and lots of other fish to be out of their trouble at the same time.
One of my favourite Bible verse is 2 Cor 1:4 "who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
Everyone has ran into some kind of trouble at some time. With every trouble comes the blessings of growth and wisdom. And the experience we had with God during our trouble will be blessings to other people in their troubled times.
Sometimes we are very limited in our expetation. We are disappointed with the influence level we're at. But breakthrough can start with just the one. Sometimes it's a close friend, a family member, or even someone you chatted over the internet. God puts one person in your path to help. And if you are obedient and give what you have to that person, sometimes that person is all you can see, but at the same time, the obedient act can bring blessings to a whole lot of other people that you can't see.
If Dory wasn't in trouble, then Nemo and his dad wouldn't be moved enough to help all the other fish out. But Dory was their family friend and she means a lot to them. So all Nemo's initiative was to help Dory out. It wasn't an easy task, it cost him his biggest effort, but the result? Not only did Dory got out, all the other fish was saved as well.
Sometimes the one person that God puts in our life is hard to deal with. We tend to get over him and move on to someone else. But if this person is brought to you by God into your life, then you'll know that this person is the key to a whole lot of others as well.
Don't despise the small beginning. The little things in your hand, the few people that's in your life can all bring the biggest breakthrough that's beyond your wildest imagination.
Paul Scanlon at Hillsong conference was talking about inclusive evangelism: to see beyond the individuals that have got our attention.
Lucinda Dooley was saying at Hillsong women that her breakthrough came from her obedience to make friends with one particular girl that had totally different background to hers.
Bobbie Houston started her ministry back in her teenage years, when she looked at the stage and thought, "I can't do this, I can't do that, I can't sing, I can't preach, I'm shy.... but I can do teatowers."
Christine Caine started her preaching career by preaching to three people plus a dog and a cat.
So, if God has put something or someone in your heart, then do it with your full strength and do it really well. The reward will be beyond your understanding.
Monday, August 02, 2004
