“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
Hebrews 7:25 (RSV)
Whoever and however a person comes to God, He will complete His work in them, because scripture teaches that we can plant seeds but only God causes the growth.
God often uses us to plant those seeds in the hearts of people, through things we do or say. We may never know how we have planted a seed in someone, even if we never observed its growth. That’s what it means that God saves completely, since He is the finisher and perfecter of our faith.
With this in mind, every day there is someone who is coming closer to God, while Jesus, stands at the right hand of God, interceding for all of us. (Romans 8:34)
It’s one reason I like to start each day, praying a simple permission prayer, where I ask God to use me in any way that He desires. He might have a seed that I can plant for Him that day.
Unusual circumstances happen whenever I start the day with that permission prayer. We may not even be aware of the moment a seed was planted in someone’s heart.
Last Sunday I went to the hospital to do my once a week volunteer ministry. I picked up the census list of Christian patients to visit, and the list led me to the room of an elderly woman with an Arabic name. After telling her who I was, I learned that she was a Muslim, who by some mistake, ended up on the Christian list. I apologized for coming to the wrong room and was about to leave, when she called me back over to her.
Although there were language barriers, she asked, “Can you help me?” as she pointed to her stomach. I told her I was not a doctor or a nurse, but I do pray for people in the name of Jesus, who can heal our illnesses.
She said “It doesn’t matter, Jesus or God, just help me,” as she kept reaching her hand toward me. She gave me permission to pray to Jesus for her, so I held her hand and laid my other hand on her stomach, praying for her healing. Afterward, she was still confused because she kept asking me to help her, not remembering what I already told her. I reminded her that Jesus heals our diseases, and finally left her in God’s hands.
In the 20 years of volunteering in that ministry, I never encountered someone of a different faith, who was so persistent, but regardless of the role dementia may have played in her response, God is able to save completely, all who come to Him through Jesus, so I trust that He will finish whatever He started in her that day.
As I gave God permission to use me that morning, that lady gave me permission to pray for her in Jesus’ name. Giving permission leads to blessings, and people in pain reach out to God, without knowing His name, but He still hears and answers us. I trust that Jesus, who intercedes for all souls, led me to the “wrong room,” to share His name, and plant the right seed, so that He can finish His work in her life.
When we give God permission to use us, mistakes are not really mistakes. What we think is the wrong place, is really God’s place, and who appears to be the wrong person is the one Jesus is praying for in that moment. Asking to be used for His purpose changes our perspective about everything. He saves completely, anyone who comes to Him, by using ordinary people to plant seeds, as He intercedes for humanity.
Lord, we give you permission to use us in any way you desire, and open the hearts of the people we meet, and plant seeds through us, in order to complete your purpose. Amen
