The treasure within

Romans 1:11 For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord.

Paul’s passion for people in his letter to the Romans comes through loud and clear. You can see that he doesn’t have an ulterior motive in striving to encourage and build the church in Rome. He cares deeply about people. He longs to visit them because he has something for them that will be helpful.

When we get together with others, we have something incredibly valuable to offer. Christ in us enables us to love, give, and speak words of life. In 2 Corinthians 4:7 Paul describes the Good News about Christ that we have to share as a “treasure in jars of clay.” It’s an amazing thing that fragile, unimpressive humans have the privilege of carrying this powerful, life-transforming message to others.

Helping people “grow strong in the Lord” means leading them to a place where they are full of faith, living lives that honor God, and able to lead others to Christ. Wherever we are in our spiritual journey, we can inspire and lead people to move forward in a growing relationship with Christ. I love that God uses all kinds of people in all kinds of ways. You may be no Paul and I certainly am not, but I know that we both have something valuable to impart to others. Don't think about yourself and what you have to offer - think about Christ and his power to transform lives. He's put that within YOU. The vessel (you) is by design unremarkable so that it's God's power that will be seen.

Look for opportunities when you're with your family, when you're with people at church, when you're at work, or any time you're with others. Loving God and loving people is our highest calling and what we were made for. A bunch of people who are “strong in the Lord” and who long to help others grow “strong in the Lord” will change this world.