2021 Daily Devotion - Day 445

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Planting Seeds

Whenever we travel, Ken and I always pray that we will be good witnesses of our faith to all we encounter. Usually, it is not too difficult; our trip to the Holy Land was ripe with opportunities, and visits to cities of the apostle Paul found many opportunities to share the Word. However, this time we were going to Communist China, and we were warned in advance not to speak of politics or religion. We were on a two week land tour, and then we would board a riverboat for a five day cruise.

The second morning in China, we were at breakfast with our tour group. One of the couples expressed disappointment they’d planned to renew their wedding vows on their 50th anniversary, but the riverboat captain had no authority to officiate. Ken was at the breakfast buffet, but I volunteered his services as a pastor. Knowing one of the other tour members was a music teacher, I asked if he’d be willing to sing the Lord’s Prayer. He was. By the time Ken returned from the buffet, we had planned the ceremony.

Our tour guide made arrangements to use a banquet hall onboard the riverboat, and we were approached by the captain. Apparently the crew, hearing about the wedding vow renewal, wanted to attend. They were curious about the American custom. “Of course,” was our response. They asked if we would need noise makers, party hats, and dance music. We told them it would be more of a solemn occasion.

We prayed the Holy Spirit would touch the hearts of the non-believers through the scripture that was read. Ken made the wedding ceremony very evangelical, honoring Christ as Lord of our lives! Only God knows if His Word found ready soil that day, but our responsibility was and is to share the Gospel and leave the results to God.

Matthew 10:20
For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Pray with me:
Dear Father, may we always be ready to testify of Your saving grace through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Nancy Reynen
Small Group Leader
Mount of Olives Church
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