Set Your Foot

From the Desk of David Boyd, National BGMC Director

There are certain locations in my past that I will never forget. Simple houses with run-down, unkempt yards. Small rusted-out air conditioners sticking out of various screenless windows. Patched roofs, cracked sidewalks, lawns littered with broken discarded toys, driveways filled with cars on their last leg of life. This forlorn community was “home” to the forty children who rode my bus. I say it was “my” bus, it was actually the church bus run by faithful workers and drivers—but it was still my bus. They were my kids—given to me by God to reach. I drove the bus often as the substitute. I knocked on doors; I visited children in their homes.

I am reminded today of how those children became my kids to reach. It happened because I saw the community, God told me to drive in there, I saw the kids, God said, “Reach them—I give them to you.” If I had time, I could describe the kids to you. Each one different—some shy, some outgoing, some boisterous—but all longing for someone to love them.

Joshua 1:3 says, “I will give you every place where you set your foot.” Today I want to challenge you to be willing to set your foot in places of your community where there are those who won’t or can’t come to you. God promises to give you victory and give you lives that will bear fruit for the Kingdom.

I spoke personally about these kids, because as children’s pastors, Mary and I really did love them. We invested our lives in them. Our workers learned to love them. We saw them grow and blossom, not only as Christians but as individuals. It has been said that a child will turn out well if at least one person in his life truly loves and believes in him. I believe that. I saw it happen as, one after another, a child would bond with one special adult worker. The worth this individual placed in that child soon brought a new self esteem, and it showed.

As time went on, we reached many of the parents as well. We held picnics in this community and built relationships. You see, reaching the parents was the key to truly improving the lives of those children.

Now years have passed. The seeds that were planted by loving teachers and workers of our church will bear fruit that only eternity will count. Be willing to “set your foot” where you are needed the most. Drive your community. Listen to God. Believe Him when He says He will “give it to you.”