Unexpected Help

Read: Galatians 6:7-10

Let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. —Galatians 6:10

Gary, a youth pastor in Michigan, set off in the church van with a group of teenagers and headed for North Dakota, Montana, and Idaho. The purpose of their trip was to experience adventure, bonding, and spiritual challenge in the Great American West. The idea was good, but the aging van didn't cooperate—nor did certain people along the way.

When the van broke down somewhere in Montana, Gary called a church in his denomination. He asked if the young people could spend the night in the church building. They all had sleeping bags and could sleep on the floor. Sadly, the church's leaders said no. So the group had to stay in a motel while they waited 2 days for repairs on the van to be completed.

Time dragged on and the young people were getting restless. Aware of their plight, a local woman took them to her ranch. She taught them to ride horses, let them help with the chores, and fed them wonderful meals. Meanwhile, the mechanic repaired their van on a cost-only basis. Ironically, neither the rancher nor the repairman were churchgoers.

It's humbling, but sometimes God uses the unchurched to remind Christians to "do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). —DCE

Do good to all and kindness show—
That's what God's Word commands;
For when we're serving in Christ's name,
We are His feet and hands. —Fitzhugh

Our love for Christ is only as real as our love for our neighbor.

daily bread