Marking People With Grace

Ron and Joyce York

At the age of 88, my dad is walking the final chapters of his life on earth still on fire to share the gospel with any and every person he can.   Mark Cahill wrote the book One Thing You Can’t Do In Heaven and that one thing is evangelism.  Dad is making sure he maximizes now what he won’t be able to do once he is home.  
I’m working on writing a biography of his life and was challenged by an entry in his journal on October 10, 1983 while he was serving as the country leader for the Navigators in the Philippines.  ​

​"Sometimes as I look back on my day I wonder what in all the activity really counted for eternity.  I can so easily burn up time on myself, on busy work, on mundane tasks.  Lord I pray I can at least do one thing each day that will mark people with grace from heaven.  To be a channel of your grace to at least someone each day.  To please You, dear Father at least some way each day."
 
Meditation
2 Thessalonians 3:18--The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you.
 
The last words of Paul to the Thessalonian church in his second letter marked grace upon them.  Marking people with grace can mean two things.  First, it conveys sharing the gospel to those who have never placed their trust in Jesus. Second, it expresses the idea of encouraging, or praying for, or helping by serving, or communicating with believers so that they are strengthened in their relationship with God. Eternal marks please the Lord and will be rewarded for eternity.  
           
Dad’s prayer almost 37 years ago is remarkably similar to what is happening in our church right now with a new campaign, “Every 1 One.”  The idea is to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal one person or group to impact for the Kingdom of God.  It is something attainable.  It is something we can all do.  It is a positive reminder that we should be making a difference in the lives of people just as Jesus by His remarkable grace, is transforming us!  
            
Do you realize you are a channel of God’s grace?  Who is your one you can impact—today, this week?  What people will you mark with God’s grace?  It is an inspiring thought that fits perfectly in the maelstrom of these turbulent times.  
            
​I hope that when I’m finished writing dad’s story it will mark people with grace.  And if you know Ron and Joyce York and they were instrumental in some way in your life would you be so kind as to share in writing with me how they helped or encouraged or inspired you?  I would love to include your testimony in this opportunity to bless others.  
 
Inspiration
Only by living in the stream of God’s grace will I find the strength to respond with grace towards others . . . I believe that dispensing God’s grace is the Christian’s main contribution.—Philip Yancey in What’s So Amazing About Grace?
 
©2020 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)