"You Gotta Start Someplace"

“You Gotta Start Someplace”

 

In 1897 a redeemed alcoholic named William Raws had the vision to help men needing deliverance from this addiction. Starting with $1.87 he founded a ministry in central New Jersey which over almost 120 years has set thousands free from bondage to the bottle. Today the Keswick Colony of Mercy continues to provide hope through Christ’s power and love to men seeking liberation from slavery to drink as well as their families.

In 1933 a service station and luncheonette owner (and amateur tinkerer) outside Albany, NY designed and built a reel to be installed on a fuel delivery truck at the request of a friend. Several years later his son believed there was a market for the product and went on the road to promote it. Today Clifford B. Hannay and Son ships about 80,000 reels a year all over the world, employs some 150 people, and has supported God’s work at home and abroad.

After Jesus ascended into Heaven His disciples were joined by about 100 others to wait for God’s direction as to their next move. Ten days after Jesus left the Holy Spirit came to indwell and empower these people and in that power Peter preached, 3000 were converted, and the church was born. Since then millions have put their faith in Christ and become members of His body around the world.

In each of these examples great things grew from small beginnings. There are two major reasons for their success: first, people were convinced that their vision would work; and second, they were committed to make it work. And with God’s leading these (and countless other enterprises of faith) have made a great impact for Him. So can we as God provides us with the motivation to make it possible.

Ventures of faith gotta start someplace. Is God calling me (or you) to pioneer some task? Will we respond with God’s prophet, “Here am I. Send (and use) me.” (Isaiah 6:8)?

 

Blessings!

Jim McMillan