...doing

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Brett Blair tells how the late Dr. Paul Quillian, the former beloved pastor of First Methodist Church of Houston, Texas, saw (in his fifteen years of ministry) the church grow from 2500 to 6000—an effort that he called a labor of love. Not many knew that Dr. Quillian as a young man had little thought of ministry and was working in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, at a bottling plant when his minister paid him a call. His pastor started with the question, "How old are you?" 

"Thirty." 

Quillian's preacher then said, "When you stand finally before the Lord God, what will you tell him you did on earth—made red soda water?" 

The young man snapped back, "And what is wrong with red soda water?" 

Nothing—except you happen to be endowed with great talents and abilities which I cherish for God and the Christian ministry." 

Consequently, the young man went back to school and prepared for the preaching ministry. He itinerated in Arkansas. Finally he was called to the First Church in Houston. He became a wonderful leader for Christ because someone recognized the gifts and talents within him and took a few minutes out of the day to tell him so.

Are you using your talents for the glory of God and the betterment of others? And do you know someone whose potential you see? Be sure that you tell them and be an encourager to them.