Dear Brother,
There was a snail at the bottom of a well. The well was exactly twenty feet deep. Each day the snail would crawl two feet up; but each night he would slide one foot back down. How long did it take the snail to get out of the well? Some logically conclude that the snail progresses at a rate of only one foot each 24 hours; therefore it would take twenty days to get out. However, on the nineteenth day he reaches the top and does not slide back because he is out. So we discover that some things are completed sooner than we anticipated.
This is the last of the series of letters that I have been writing to encourage, perhaps even to disciple you, brother, in your relationship with your apostolic oversight. I have written about the definition of your calling and identifying your joints in the Body. I talked about your covenant relationship and ratifying it with your tithes. I’ve encouraged you to press in for cousel, not waiting for your pastor to chase after you. Further, I have urged you to clarify your vision, and keep your spiritual ear attuned to God. Remember also that I recommended that you understand the expectations that you have for the function of your pastor and his realistic expectations of serving with you. There are many other things that I have shared with you, hoping that as you freely receive, so you would also freely give.
I pray that these modern epistles have been a blessing to you. I hope you have also been challenged by some of the things that I have shared and that your communication with your apostle/pastor has been enhanced through my exhortations to you.
During this time of letter writing, I have often stopped and prayed for you, believing that you would receive, not my words only, but revelation from the Lord. “And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you the inheritance among all them that are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32) I also commend you to your pastor, as your apostolic oversight, knowing that he will fulfill the Lord’s call upon his life to minister the grace of God unto you.
Thank you for allowing me to share.
Bruce
