It's been a while since I have posted anything. Life has gotten the way lately what with shift changes, an accident at work, and a recent scare concerning a sub-dural hematoma (a bruise on the outer lining of my brain) which has turned out to be nothing serious. But I have learned a few lessons along the way these past few weeks:
1. No matter the circumstances God is in control. Nothing we go through ever surprises Him, or leaves Him wringing His big hands wondering "...what do I do now?"
2. There are a lot (really a lot) of people out there - in our lives every day - that are hopeless. By hopeless I mean that they have no real understanding of the love God has for them. They are spiritually ignorant at best, and spiritually dead at worst - I fear the latter may be more true than the prior. I heard the results of a recent poll that indicates that only 15% of the "Generation Xers" in America have expressed any interest in spiritual matters at all, while more than 80% still claim to be Christians. I don't know about you, but the math just doesn't add up. That leaves quite a harvest field for us to work in.
3. Despite the polls, people all around us are hungry for answers to the reasons things happen. Is there really a higher power? Does God really exist? How can I be sure? And despite their seeming rough exteriors and lack of concern about spiritual matters, they are all ears when someone speaks with authority about what God has to say about the things they are involved in. We need to read our Bibles and hide the Word in our hearts so we will be ready.
4. We as true believers do not have any excuse not to be witnesses for Christ. As He said "...look around you, the harvest fields are ripe for harvest, but the workers are few. Pray that the LORD of the harvest will send more workers."
5. Through my recent experiences I have learned empathy, not just sympathy, for those who are truly struggling with the issues of life they have to deal with every day - sickness, issues at work, family problems, and the list goes on. They need to have hope. Just as I have hope, I need to share the hope that is within me so others can have hope as well.
So, are you working the field God has planted you in? It might be in a factory, or an office. It could be in the grocery store, or just enjoying the company of friends. It might just be in spending time with unsaved family members. Wherever it is, allow God's Holy Spirit to lead you. Just as Jesus promised His disciples, He (the Holy Spirit) will give you the words to speak at the right time. All you need is to be willing to speak them out clearly, and boldly. You do not have to be a Bible scholar, or a great theologian to share what God has done in your life. Just tell them what you know, and invite them to come and see for themselves what Jesus has for them.
I like the way it is stated in "The Message" when Jesus was discussing the sheep and the shepherd: John 10:14-18 "I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They'll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father." Are you willing to lay down your life to help lead others to Christ? Will you get out of the "pen" and become a witness?
Jesus came that none should perish but find everlasting life. Just go out there and live your life before them and be a ready witness when the opportunity presents itself. Believe me, if you will daily ask God to use you He will put you into circumstances where, though uncomfortable sometimes, He will use you. Just be willing to listen and submit when He speaks.
God bless you.
Bob
