For August 18th:

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.”

Luke 12:35 NIV

It is interesting to me how God makes the scripture come alive in our lives in such a timely way.  I had just been doing a study which included Luke 12.  The verse above was talking about servants being ready when their master called.  Of course for us, it would mean being ready when our God calls us into service.  We never know when that might be.

I always think of the firefighters who sleep in their clothes so at a moment’s notice they can scurry into service.  Also medics who are always on the alert for being pressed into service at the next emergency.

I had an experience last month that made the above scripture come alive for me.  I didn’t realize that I was dressed for service, but I was.  Keep in mind that the service does not have to be a BIG act of service.  I had driven to the Atlanta International Airport to pick up our daughter and our baby grandson who were flying in from Oxford, England.  I had arrived well ahead of their arrival time as I did not want to risk missing their first steps into the U.S.

I parked the car and as I was walking to the elevator to go to the terminal and I saw a man who seemed lost.  I asked if I could help him.  He told me that he needed to get to the arrival section to meet his wife who had been on a trip.  I told him I was going that way and I would get him to the right place.  He was most grateful.  When we got to the destination he thanked me profusely. 

Later he came back up to me and said that he had lost his wallet.  He was in a panic.  I told him to retrace his steps (men’s room, newsstand, etc.) and ask security if anyone had turned it in.  No luck finding it.  I asked him if he was sure that he had not left it in his car.  He proceeded to go look.  I told him I would wait at the top of the stairs to make sure that he got back from his car.

As he returned, he had a huge smile on his face.  He found in on his car seat.  All was well and it was time for his wife to arrive.  As we departed again, he gave me a big hug and thanked me for being such a help.  Funny how a stranger was no longer a stranger.

Isn’t it great how God gives us opportunities of service when we aren’t even looking for them?  Whether big trips to another country, another state, or just next door, God can use us.  I hope that we can always be “dressed for service”. 

Becky G. Hall