Follow the Napkin
Theme for the Week: Agreeing with God
Paul Tokunaga
Tuesday, July 24, 2001
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: "Whoever serves me must follow me.
My Father will honor the one who serves me" (John 12:26).
Bonus Reading: 1 John 2:3-6
Roger didn't look like a winner. Along with his weak, raspy voice, he was scrawny and a bit abrasive. During his freshman year he told me, his InterVarsity staff worker, "God's calling me into church-planting overseas. I'm transferring to Bible college." It didn't seem quite right, so I prayed over it and we met in the snack bar a week later.
I told Roger, "I have another plan." I sketched it out on a napkin. "Stay at FSU, which is a great mission field. Train hard academically and in campus ministry." I charted out training events to develop his skills, and spiritual disciplines. "Do this, Roger, then go to seminary, and you'll be a better church planter." But deep down, I wondered, "Lord, how's he going to preach without a full voice?"
Next week, Roger came back with the napkin. "Okay, I'm going to do it." He served as the fellowship Bible-study coordinator. He became a communications major. He shared Jesus one-on-one, and preached outdoors on campus as passersby snickered. He went overseas on a summer missions project.
Every once in a while I'd ask, "How's the plan, Roger?"
"On target," he'd respond. "I'm following the napkin."
Paul Tokunaga in Faith on the Edge Respond:
Here's how I'm submitting to God's will for me as I understand it: Thought to Apply:
God doesn't demand our achievements; He demands our obedience.
Charles Colson (Watergate conspirator, founder, Prison Fellowship)
Adapted from: Faith on the Edge (InterVarsity, 1999)
For your convenience, Faith on the Edge is available in the ChristianityToday.com bookstore.
Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc./Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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O Lord ... give us such a mighty love to Thee as may sweeten all our obedience.
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