Two Different Responses

Speaking to my middle daughter recently I told her of my         disappointment regarding my itinerant teaching and preaching

ministry was dwindling. So many Assemblies closed at the

commencement and end of the pandemic. A good number that re-opened continued with "Zoom" and opened the way for saints to remain at home instead of "assembling themselves together" at the meetings. I told her that I felt my ministry was drawing to a close, although as then, so now, I do not have a "word from the Lord" as to His will. If it please Him I will continue to wait.

But Deborah said to me, "dad you still have that tract distribution ministry, why not continue with that work? I felt that she was right, and not accepting that my "other" ministry was at a close yet, I could "occupy until He come" in this way.   

And so yesterday (Monday) I managed to deliver a good number of Via magazines with the message of the Glad Tidings clearly presented within its pages. What was quite exciting I distributed them to a place I had never reached before.

Today, still feeling an exercise to continue my efforts to reach others with the Gospel my wife drove me to a cluster of buildings comprised of high-rise flats. There were four such buildings I hoped to gain access to, but it can be tricky. Sometimes there is a "trade button" that will grant access as long as it is before midday. Some buildings however do not have this facility. As is my wont I always ask the Lord to open the doors.

A the first building as I arrived at the entrance a resident was leaving and held the door for me to enter. Lovely start! I completed that block and moved on to the next. The trade button was accommodating, and I was able to get inside immediately. Finishing that block, on to the next. 

Here I stood outside perplexed; no trade button and no one in sight. I tried a number of buttons that belonged to tenants, but to no avail. I waited prayerfully for a while and then decided to see if there were any further entrances. It transpired there was a further two, but no joy. The Lord did not open the door! I was crestfallen but I had another building to access so as to distribute some more magazines, rather than just give up. 

I was able to use the trade button there and began my delivery. I generally like to start on the top floor and work my way down. As I started my delivery on the second floor from the top, I believe that was the case, I had to pass an open door where a young man was standing on its threshold. My thought was he will likely refuse the Via, trusting that it would not be more like a rebuttal. We smiled at each other, and I asked him if he would care to take the magazine, handing it to him as I spoke. He looked at briefly, and thanked me for it. I was elated. 

On the same floor as I approached another flat, I could see even from a little way away, that a huge bunch of keys had been inadvertently left in the keyhole, a very dangerous situation in this day and age. So instead of pushing the magazine through the letterbox I rang the bell. A rather attractive young lady answered the door. She looked at me quizzically and I pointed to the keys. She was overjoyed that I had drawn her attention to them and quickly retrieved them. I then asked her if she would like a magazine, but on learning it was "religious" she declined politely and graciously, wishing me a nice day. 

I thought she was bound to accept the Via magazine; how easily we make presumptions and are apt to be swayed by first impressions. perhaps I will learn from this experience.

I remain confused by the "closed door," but I don't believe it was a coincidence for one moment; and furthermore I don't believe it will remain permanently closed. Many possibilities may suggest themselves including perhaps it was dangerous for me to enter at that time. but leaving it with the Lord, if it please Him I will try again. 

T.W.

If you wish to contact me, in the will of the Lord, please note that I have a new email address: tomwyatt887@gmail.com