"Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing." (Ezekiel 47:12)

There is absolutely nothing for which God has not made provision! He has considered it all; nothing escapes His knowledge and His purpose . . . there is a purpose for everything under the sun!

In Kenya, a land where little is much and where nothing is taken for granted, a simple dose of tender loving care can heal the deep wounds of the heart. As a team of missionaries, we had the awesome privilege of not only seeing the need from a distance, but we were called to touch, embrace, hold, and even kiss the cheeks of many who needed only to know they were loved!

But then, there were those who were sick, some even nearing deaths door . . . no money, no doctors, no medicines. Their only hope was out of reach for them because of the lack of means to receive help. Medicines prescribed by volunteer physicians and medical professionals were made available to hundreds of people during one of this ministry's outreached to Kenya . . . "leaves for healing" saved numerous lives as attested by the doctors after three days of medical camps in regions where the sting of death and disease touches nearly every home.

Having witnessed this with my own eyes, it's easy to see how the "water from the sanctuary flows" to those in need, giving food and leaves for healing. This verse spoke so powerfully to me as we were serving food (the Word of God) and leaves of healing (medicines) as the water (the Word) was flowing from the sanctuary (the heart of God)!

When you begin to think you have nothing to offer, that you are insignificant in the Kingdom of God, remember the times you reached out and embraced the unembraceable or loved the unlovable! Remember the times you lent a helping hand to one in need, the time you offered words of encouragement to a downcast friend. You, too, were as the water flowing from the sanctuary, serving food and leaves for healing.

Do you consider yourself insignificant? Not hardly! Begin to thank God for every opportunity He has given you and begin to pray for more opportunities to be a vessel He can pour through . . . He's waiting for you to ask!

Father, use me! I make myself available to You to be used to serve "food" and offer "leaves for healing" to those You bring into my life. Forgive me for not taking opportunities You have already brought to me. Help me to look for them and to take advantage of every chance to minister Your grace to those in need. "Here I am, Lord, use me!" for Your glory, that Your Kingdom be increased and Your name magnified in all the earth! In Jesus' name, amen and amen!

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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