Day 17: Write To Someone Again

On Day 11, you wrote your first outwardly focused letter. You likely tried to be an encourager in the biblical model of Barnabas. It’s time to write another letter.

Let’s take a moment to remember why you are writing these letters.

First, it has become clear that you are to be an encourager. Everyone needs encouragement. Everyone needs a positive word from time to time. It is exciting that you are able to be that conduit of encouragement and joy to someone.

Second, you are to be a source of comfort. Everyone hurts at times. Many people hurt a lot of the time. It is likely the person to whom you are writing is in the midst of some struggle or some pain. Your note to them may come at God’s perfect time.

Several years ago, I found myself in a leadership crisis I never could have expected. Indeed, I heard things said about me I never would have imagined. Even though the negative words were not true, they still hurt. They hurt a lot.

Then I received a text from Steve, a friend but not necessarily someone I knew well. The text read, “None of us believes what they are saying about you, Thom. Your integrity and character will prevail. We know the real Thom Rainer.”

God’s timing was perfect. The message was perfect. At that point, I knew I would see the other side with victory. It would be several weeks before the crisis passed, but it did pass. And though it still hurts at times to think about it, I really have moved on. The world has moved on. I am indeed on the other side of that painful time in my life.

And I will never forget Steve’s text. I will never forget how he was an incredible source of comfort. I’m glad I took the time later to let him know what his words meant to me.

It was a brief message. It was a simple text.

But it was life-changing for me.

Now, it’s your time to minister to someone.

But there’s a third reason why I’m asking you to write another letter, email, or text. The primary purpose of these thirty days is to get you focused beyond yourself. We all tend to become inwardly focused. God’s plan is for us to look, serve, and go beyond ourselves. Believe it or not, the simple act of writing to someone does just that.

TO WHOM DO YOU WRITE THIS TIME?

As you likely have noticed by now, this thirty-day challenge doesn’t have firmly fixed prescriptions for each day. There is flexibility in how you meet each day’s challenge. There is flexibility so the Holy Spirit can lead us without a script getting in the way. The same rules apply today. Prayerfully decide the best way forward.

By the way, I’m taking this challenge with you. Before starting this chapter, I prayed that God would bring some people to mind who could use some comfort and encouragement. I will note a few of those people whose names surfaced after I prayed.

My cousin lost her husband to a heart attack over a year ago. She obviously still struggles.

One of my closer friends had to admit his wife for long-term dementia care. He is so devoted to her, but she no longer recognizes him.

A couple in my community group at church bought land for their dream home. But home prices have escalated so much and so rapidly that they can no longer afford to build.

My son Art is starting a new business this month. He left the security of a regular paycheck to follow his dream.

Another close friend is waiting on tests for his son who was in remission from a rare form of cancer. The tests may show that the cancer has returned. The son has three young sons of his own.

Just a moment ago, I looked at a social media feed and saw that a friend was struggling with depression.

These six needs came to my mind right after I prayed. I immediately called one of these people and texted two more. There is no shortage of people who need comfort and encouragement.

All six of the people I noted here are Christians. But there’s no reason to limit ourselves if we want to become Great Commission Christians. Yesterday, I prayed for God to connect me with someone who is not a Christian. God could not have been clearer in his answer to my prayer. I ran into a lady in the parking lot where my office is located. She’s been asking many spiritual questions. I pray that God will continue to use me to encourage her and witness to her.

To whom will you write this time? What words can you offer to comfort someone or encourage someone? Though the assignment is brief, it can be incredibly powerful.

DON’T FORGET THE PRINCIPLE OF THE HARVEST

If you asked a few Christians to describe Jesus’ teaching on the harvest, I bet that some would respond that Jesus told us to pray for lost people. Though it is certainly important to pray for people who are not yet Christians, that wasn’t what Jesus focused on in addressing the harvest.

Let’s review his words from Matthew 9:36-38: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’”

Did you get that? There is no shortage of people to reach. Quite frankly, there is no shortage of people who would be open to a text, email, or conversation from you. We sometimes convince ourselves that people will resist any overtures on our part. That simply isn’t true; it never has been true. The harvest is great. We need more workers in the field.

You, my friend, are a worker in the field. Your prayers, your emails, your texts, your invitations, and your conversations are all part of what a worker in the field does. Your obedience is making a difference. You are one of God’s workers who are changing the world.

SEE WHAT GOD DOES

My friend whose son is facing a possible recurrence of cancer answered my call immediately. We talked for several minutes. We prayed. And we both knew that we will always be there for each other.

I texted another friend, who also responded immediately. His words spoke volumes about his need and his hurt. His text simply read, “Thanks, Thom. I needed this touch just now.”

The other friend I texted has not responded, but it’s only been thirty minutes. I have no doubt we will connect with each other before the day is over.

I offer these examples to encourage you to take action, to write to someone in your sphere of influence today. I want you to realize how great the potential harvest really is. I want you to see how God works powerfully—and often quickly—in response to our obedience.

Are you ready to write your letter, email, or text? Pray a brief prayer for God’s blessing as you send it. I am also praying for you.

It’s your time. Be a faithful worker in the harvest field.