One of the most amazing mysteries of life is that God chooses to work through us, through ordinary people who regularly sin and fall. There is a balance here, that it is God working, but we are involved in partnership as well! (Phil 2:12-13, Gal 2:20) We can only stand amazed at God’s grace in allowing us to be called His co-workers (1 Cor 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1).

On their return to Syrian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas ‘gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them.’ (Acts 14:27; see also Acts 15:4) We have seen glimpses of this in Luke’s accounts of Paul’s preaching and prayers for healing, and it must have been fascinating to be in that meeting, hearing all about God’s work. We do well to take the time to listen to accounts of all that God is doing in the world (it’s always good to hear testimonies from Fredrick and Reeba in India, for example, but it’s good to keep our ears attuned to the wonderful stories from our communities and from around the world) and to marvel at how Christ is in us, working through us and doing great things.

When we finally get to meet together in person again, let’s be willing to share what God has been doing and saying while we have been apart. So often, we don’t notice this because we take for granted what God does or we think it’s not big enough to share… but our testimonies can encourage others as we realise God is always with us and always working for our good.