A day in the life of …

June 9, 2006

By Gary Rogers

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15, NKJV). I recently experienced this verse in the course of one day.

At 9 a.m. I held a small, brief, sweet wedding. Cornell, whom we helped after his house was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, met a woman in Tulsa. They were joined in marriage at our church.

At 10 I went to the First Baptist Church for a Bible study. I had been invited to share about being Pentecostal. I enjoyed visiting with those in attendance and sharing my beliefs.

At 2 p.m. I met with a young lady who recently experienced the unexpected, tragic death of her husband.

At 3 I had an appointment with a young couple who recently have accepted the Lord. It was so good to hear what God has done in their lives. He has delivered both of them from drug addiction. He has removed a federal charge and the probability of prison time. He has restored their marriage. He has opened the door for starting trade school. During our visit they smiled a lot, and bragged on Jesus.

At 4 I received a call from the Coweta Police Department. A teenager came home to find his 22-year-old brother dead. At the house I was met by a police officer on the front lawn who described the situation I was about to walk into. As I entered the house, the father was in the living room talking on the phone to his mother explaining the situation. A lady officer standing just inside the door pointed in the direction of a bedroom where the brother was and whispered his name.

The teenager was leaning against his dresser crying. He didn’t know me, so I walked up to him and introduced myself. I placed a hand on his shoulder and asked if I could pray for him. After prayer he said, “Amen. Thank you.” I went to the living room and the police officer introduced me to the father. I was soon holding his hand in prayer. My heart broke for this father and brother who had just witnessed the terrible tragedy of a life cut short.

That evening a session was scheduled with the church’s department leaders to plan out the next six months on our calendar. Before the meeting I took a minute to write this devotion. I love the ministry! This is not heartache; it is a delight. It is not drudgery; it is a passion. It is not what I have to do; it’s what I’m privileged to do. Thank God for letting me do what I get to do. Yes, that day I shed a few tears, but thank God I also rejoiced.

Let God take you into the joys and sorrows of those around you and touch lives for Him.

Gary Rogers is senior pastor of First Assembly of God in Coweta, Okla.