Unknown By Face
Every Wednesday morning I have breakfast at a small unassuming church in West Georgia. It is arguably the highlight of my week. As I get out of my car, I can smell bacon (so it starts off great!); when I walk in I see the hand full of guys who have been awake and cooking for hours - the smiles on their faces are contagious!
I then have the chance to talk and laugh with some of the greatest men I have ever met! I hear about work, family, their lives all while each one just radiates Jesus! Then we sing a few songs, let me assure you that no one is going to win a singing competition, but God is glorified!
This past week, the message or talk was from Galatians chapter one. My friend Jeremy spoke with such passion and Fire. He wonderfully made the text come alive (which Scripture so often does!). Reminding us, it is all about Jesus, it was planned since the beginning of time, so people would recognize and worship God (vs 10-24)! Amazing!
There is a line in Paul’s letter that reads, “...I was still unknown by face among the Christian churches...”(v 21). These words have rattled around in my mind since I walked out of that building. Paul and his team did so much to build and encourage the Early Church, but no one would have recognized him - “unknown by face”.
You see, from that gathering of regular guys, representing 8 or 9 churches, scattered all over West Georgia, they left to go about their business. You know, off to work and the rest of their week - the normal stuff guys do “unknown by face”.
Here is where it gets really good. Those same guys lead, support and participate in: prison and jail ministries that soon will cover most of the state, job training for those starting over, recovery ministry for men, women and teenagers, feeding the homeless and the list goes on! There is no fanfare. No news coverage. “Unknown by face”.
Regardless of what you may hear or think - The people of God are on the move. The work of Jesus is being done. People’s live are being impacted. These guys may very well be “unknown by face” but they are very much KNOWN BY CHRIST!