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“The giants of faith all had one thing in common: neither victory or success, but passion.”
-Phillip Yancy
I couldn’t put my finger on it. There was something deep inside that changed. I felt supported, strengthened, hopeful.
As it happens, I decided spur of the moment last week to visit a dear friend of mine who encouraged me in life, my faith, and served me tea and love over years. She gave me courage to keep going forward in my walk of faith. Phyllis is her name. She is 83 and still, she talks of the Lord, His love, His preciousness.
As I was sitting with her, a knock came to her front door. A dear friend of both of us walked in unexpectedly. We 3 had not been together for years. It was Linda, our mutual friend, who served God for 60 years, about to celebrate her 80th birthday. All of us had lived in Vienna.
Phyllis’s husband directed the ministry to communist countries in Europe for 15 years for the Navigators, a real hero of faith. She served by his side, taught, hosted literally hundreds of people in her home.
Jody, Linda’s husband, was the head of Biblical Education by Extension, a movement of 150 people who traveled into Communist countries to train believers to become pastors to start churches. I had known them for decades. Linda wrote books, spoke, discipled, hosted. Somehow seeing them together, remembering what they had done, quietly, with little worldly notice, that they sacrificed, how they still cultivated love and passion for God, went deep into my soul. It lifted me up. I was in the company of spiritual giants. Their faithfulness through many hard years gave me courage.
I remembered the verse:
“Therefore, my beloved brothers & sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Cor. 15:58)
Life is a marathon. Keep your legacy going. My friends, never give up, never give in. Your labor is not in vain. You matter. Stay steadfast. God sees you, He cares for your life. I pray you and I may be firm, and immovable now during this time in history. I could see how much the faith, and faithfulness of my friends mattered.
Godly friends sustain, hold us!
May you and I be that to one another. Praying for you today. Enjoy my new podcast episode and be sure to order your copy of Teatime Discipleship.
