A few days ago I was preparing to phone someone who has been going through a very difficult time. Just before I spoke to them I had a look at an app on my mobile phone that pings me a verse from the Bible each day. It seemed quite appropriate for the conversation I was about to have, so I looked in my book format Bible (as opposed to electronic versions on phones, tablets and kindles, etc) and noticed that one of the page marker ribbons was in exactly that place, but I had just slid it into that place on a previous occasion.

“Hmmm,” thought I. “Is this merely a coincidence, or is Someone trying to get me to share this with the person I am about to call?”

I made the call, and in the course of the conversation it became clear to me that the Bible verse may be something that God wanted them to be reminded of, so I took a risk and offered it to them. The words blessed them, which was wonderful.

Why do I share this with you? Well, not because I am super-spiritual or anything like that – far from it (indeed I don’t think ‘superspirituality’ actually exists). Nor because I am slapping myself on the back in a congratulatory way. It’s to encourage you to take a risk if you sense that God may have something he wants you to share with someone else. If you offer it gently and humbly in a ‘I’m not sure if this is from God but I offer it to you and let’s see’ (definitely not in a ‘thus saith the Lord’ way) then it gives the person on the receiving end a gracious way to say, “Thank you, but I don’t think it’s for me,” (or similar) without it being a criticism of you.

I am pretty sure that they will be blessed simply by the fact that you were prepared to take a risk to bless them – it’s a gift that you offer which shows you care. And if it is something God wants them to hear then they will be doubly blessed.

Go on. You know He wants you to.

And the verse? In case it is something you also need to hear (Psalm 94:18-19): ‘When I said, “My foot is slipping,’ your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”

Be blessed, be a blessing