On one of my favorite episodes of the Andy Griffith Show, Barney gets help from beyond.

The choir has a big show coming up and somehow Barney gets a solo. He can’t stay in tune, and the choir director doesn’t want to hurt his feelings. Andy comes up with a crazy idea that would never work anywhere but Mayberry.

Andy convinces Barney that a special microphone will be used for the performance. Andy explains that Barney has to sing so low that almost no sound comes out of his mouth. Barney seems confused but trusts Andy’s advice.

The hapless deputy stands alone in front of the crowd waiting for his cue. He doesn’t realize that his microphone is off. Another man from the choir slips behind the curtain to a live microphone and belts out a powerful solo. Barney moves His mouth and believes it’s his own voice.

You can watch Barney’s demeanor change after just a few notes. He goes from unsure to confident in an instant. Barney is filled with bravado, the crowd is in awe, and he never realizes the power came from a more qualified voice.

I feel like Barney sometimes.

It’s not a perfect analogy but it makes sense to me.

There have been times I had just the right words at just the right moment. Other times, I decided to do something for someone and it ended up being more meaningful than I imagined. A few have told me that my words or actions helped them get through a tough time.

I look back and realize it wasn’t really me, it was someone working through me. Like Barney, I was simply playing my part while God was behind the scenes directing and speaking through me.

I’ve seen this happen many more times through other people. God works through them to encourage, uplift, or inspire. I’ve seen God work through people you would least expect.

God promises to give us the right words, clear direction, and pure motivation, if we yield to His leading.

We all have gifts, some may be good singers, others may have a way with words, while others have the ability to help others through doing repairs to a home or vehicle.

Everyone has limitations as well. We can’t meet all the needs around us. Our attitude holds us back, our finite resources impede our benevolence, or we simply don’t know what to say.

But God has all the wisdom, all the strength, all the patience, all the resources, all the mercy, and all the love to impact others through you.

Trust God.

Ask Him to work in you and with you.
Ask Him to speak to you and through you.
Ask Him to reach into your heart and out through your hands.

The reality is, if God is with you, you will never be standing alone.

-Tom Wise