TAKE JESUS ALONG
Opportunity knocks but once. At least that's what I've heard all my life. All I know is that if opportunity is knocking, I must be in the shower! Personally, I think opportunity doesn't even knock these days, he just leaves voice mail, and never returns my calls!
Ok, I have to admit that this is the weirdest introduction that I've ever written; but my point is well taken. In our busy world, opportunities are harder to notice, or find. This is especially true when it comes to sharing the Gospel. In our running-to-and-from-this-and-that world, who has time to talk to neighbors and co-workers? Who has time to develop the friendship that are necessary to share the Gospel in a meaningful context?
Well, the answer has to be: WE DO! Perhaps I should say that we have to make the time. But how do you make time when you have no time? The only answer I have to that question is: by looking at everything we do as an opportunity. If opportunity doesn't knock anymore, then I'm just going to have to go out and knock on his door!
What am I suggesting? Simply this: don't try and find more time, (Although everyone should regularly look at their priorities and see if they really need to be as busy as they are!). Instead, use the time you have. When you are shopping, when you go the hairdresser, when you get your car fixed, on your lunch break, during recess, at the beach, or on the golf course there are opportunities to share your faith. We have to stop thinking that Church and Church things, like sharing the Gospel, are only suitable in one area of our lives. Our faith needs to rub shoulders with every part of our life. We have to find ways to express our relationship with Jesus in a way that is a natural expression of our lifestyle. There shouldn't be an activity, an interest, a place that we go, that Jesus doesn't go with us.
I think that there are more opportunities to let people know about Jesus, than we think. All we have to do, is do what we're doing, but take Jesus along with us. Let me give you an example of what I am talking about:
I received this e-mail today in response to my Halloween page.
Grant,
Thanks for your Halloween page. It was insightful. I understand fully where you are coming from. My husband and I have not had any trick-or-treaters, because of the areas we lived/live in. There are hardly any children, so there were no occasion to pass treats out on Halloween. However, this subject is something to think about should we move to a more child-populated community.
Despite our strong feelings about Halloween, there was one time it was a blessing to me...
When I was a child, I received a Christian tract from an older man and I was disappointed that I didn't get more candy from him. That night, however, I opened the tract and it was specially made for children on the subject of Halloween. I read through the whole tract. If it wasn't for this man, I believe there wouldn't have been a spark of interest in Jesus. I thank God for this man. He reached out and took the opportunity of this "dark" day, and shined his light for me and other children to see. Jesus, bless this man whomever he is!
May the Lord bless you.
Sylvia
Here is a man that took the task of handing out candy, something that he was going to do anyway, and used it as an opportunity to share God's love with someone else. More importantly, God took this man's humble effort of faith and planted a seed in little Sylvia's heart.
So, the question I leave with you this week is: What are the things that you are already doing that you can tweak and then use as an opportunity to share your faith? I'm not even going to make any suggestions on this one. Why don't you suggest things to me? Just click on my name at the bottom of this Whatcha and e-mail me! If I get enough, I'll post them at Graceland!
