Herman was an elderly member of a congregation in Orlando, Florida. He used a wheelchair, which he either pushed or sat in, depending on his need. This disabled brother had a passion for reaching lost people with the saving grace of Christ. So, he created his own ad for Bible studies.
Herman typed the words, enlarged them with a copier, cut them out, haphazardly pasted them together, and then made copies of the “finished” product. He passed out these homemade invitations on the city bus and signed fellow passengers up for studies. Most people lied about their addresses. Undeliverable envelopes were constantly returning to his mailbox.
But Rick felt sorry for Herman. He gave his real name and address. The preacher’s wife, my sister Grace, was asked to study with Rick. She guided him through the “Search for Truth” lessons produced by Fishers of Men. In time, he obeyed the gospel and became a faithful brother in God’s family.
Herman’s story reminds me of a couple of passages in the letters of
Paul. In his correspondence with the Corinthians, he says, “Consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth” (1 Cor. 1:26). And to the Romans, Paul writes, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom. 12:6-8).
God gives different gifts to different people, and in differing measures. Some Christians have many gifts in great measure, and others have few gifts in small measure. But the Lord can and will use anyone with the heart to serve. In 2020, let’s make every effort to do what we can with what we have.
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