This week I’ve been thinking a lot about a man named Ron Mehl, and how thankful I am for him. Some of you may recognize Ron’s name. I’ve talked about him quite a bit. He had a pretty big impact on my life. He was the pastor of the Beaverton Foursquare Church, in Beaverton, Oregon. He was also a very successful author.
I’m not the kind of person who people seek out because of my impressive talent or extraordinary potential. I’m just an average Joe. No complaints. But in a world where the race often seems to be won by the swift, talented and good looking people, an average person starts to wonder if anyone notices them, let alone notices what they’re doing.
Not Ron Mehl
One day I received a hand written note from Ron,
Nov. 5, 1993
Dear Joel,
I know you are very busy, but I hope this note find you doing well!
Last week the Lord brought you to my mind and I wanted you know that I’ve been praying for you. God loves you very much and has great things in store for you.
If you’re ever in the Portland area, it would mean so much to me if we could get together.
You’re loved by me,
Ron Mehl
I later found out that not only had Ron been praying for me, but he had my name written on a card that he kept on his desk. He used that card to remind him to pray for me every day. Needless to say I was, and remain, incredibly humbled by this. But the other thing I felt, and still do, is confidence. I mean if someone like Ron Mehl sees something in you that would cause him to pray for you and speak into your life, you must be more than just an average Joe. You begin to think that maybe those things you’ve felt deep down inside were from God. I’ve come back to this assurance time and time again, all because God moved a man named Ron Mehl to pray for me.
God had the Prophet Isaiah tell His people…
I’ve posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. Day and night they keep at it, praying, calling out, reminding God to remember. (Is 62:6-7, The Message)
I believe those watchmen still exist. They are people who the Lord brings your face to their mind. There are people who the Lord wakes in the middle of the night with your name on their hearts. People who will send you a note, or give you call, or catch you in person, just to let you know they are praying for you.
We should be so thankful for people like this, but it’s time for you and me to be that person to someone else. To allow God to move us to pray for someone. To write their name down somewhere where we can see it often.
Somewhere there’s an average Joe who doubts they’ve got what it takes. One word from you can make all the difference. And who know’s, maybe one day they’ll write a blog about the impact you had on their life.
Good word. I think it not only blesses the person receiving the call, note, or visit, but also blesses the one giving it, realizing that God has put it on his or her heart to do so. It’s an encouraging thing God does to show He’s thinking of us. Our names on on His desk, too.
Dear Joel I read your comments about Pastor Ron. I lived in Oregon back in the mid 1970s. My wife and my two small children attended that Church when maybe at most 100 members.I can attest to Rons passion for Christ and his church We moved back to S Cal in 1980 and were amazed when we visited in the church in 2000 at its growth. Now 17 years latter tonight I found out that Pastor Ron had past back in 2003. I read your post tonight and was blessed that God is still using Pastor Ron as a blessing.
I listen to Ron Mehl’s radio messages daily, along with the other minister’s messages that play throughout the day. Ron’s way of expressing the ideas he wants you to receive stands out amongst the crowd. I wish I could have met him when he was alive, but I am thankful his radio broadcasts can be played infinitum and influence future generations.