“Let your moderation (i.e. forbearance, mildness) be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand. – Be careful for nothing but in everything  by prayer and supplication with thanks giving let your requests be made known unto God.”  Phil. 4:5-6.

In this practical word, God´s own children have much honey sweet consolation in various timely situations.  And having experienced its blessings we are encouraged to draw on this word again and again.

It reminds us of two different relationships.  One to other people and another one to God.  In both cases there´s something to “be made known”.  Towards other people our “mildness” should be known, but to God our different cares should be known, - in that order.

So our troubles should be known to God and not to people in whom there´s little help. Our help is in our gracious “down-to-earth” God who is at hand, “The Lord is a hand.”  This is my watchword for this very day.

So let´s be not too “super spiritual”  When in the waiting room I meet fellow sufferers at a local rehabilitation center I try to keep in mind what should be known, namely my errand as an ambassador of Christ.  But an informal talk would often lead up to that.

That makes the encounter with people exciting.  Christ is made known with our very presence, not with many words, to start with. 

My chauffeur of Iraqi descent said one day to me, “I´m now 36, and never has anybody talked to me that way.”  In what way?  Well, it all just started with a kind talk about everyday things.

As it has wisely been said, “Win them for yourself and then for Christ!”

July 27, 21 - jn