When That Voice Say’s Something

You know when it happens. You do something and “the voice,” your conscience, “something spoke to me,” say’s something to you and you have a moment to respond. Do you listen to the voice? Or do you ignore it, brush it off, or let the words sink in and then respond?  Well Thursday morning, “the voice,” spoke to me. I was putting things together while staying in a hotel in Spokane and felt compelled to take a moment to find “the word for today.” That “word” would be to simply open my Bible and find something compelling, awe-inspiring, challenging, life-changing, or simply “a Christian duty.”  I open my Bible and thumbed through it looking for something I underlined, highlighted or a word to jump out at me. I by-passed several of the above-mentioned as this particular Bible is full of highlights and underlines. I stopped at I Corinthians 9:27. I had previously underlined, “…I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  The whole passage deals with running in a race and running to win.

I left my hotel room, went to work, and when I came back, I found the following note on my Bible, “I would like to say thanks 4-leavin your Book opened. I read the first 1/2 page. Thanks again. Enjoy, Sammy. I needed it.”

Sometimes we listen to the voice, the Holy Spirit, our conscience, or whatever you want to call it, and when we do, we get cool results.  Sometimes when we ignore it, we miss out on doing something great for someone else.  I want to be a vessel used by God, to help others grow, especially in relationships with God.

Show Yourself Friendly

I just read a great article regarding on how we are suppose to connect with outsiders.  The outsider I am talking about is those who don’t call any church their home.  Studies have shown that most Christians are far more comfortable hanging out with those already going to Heaven than those who are destined for eternal darkness. I find that pretty sad, but I do understand the tangibles involved in sharing one’s faith.  I think we find ourselves predestined to just not say anything regarding one’s faith, first convincing ourselves that they aren’t interested.  Second to the fact we convince ourselves we don’t know what to say.  Too bad too because if we only engaged someone, I am sure they will have an answer to where they are in their faith or non-faith living. 

The Bible say’s in Colossians 4:5
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” This is a great verse and I pray more would take it to heart.  We all work with those “not of the faith,” yet with our ticket punched, we watch them live on the edge of eternal lostness.  Some would ask, “what will it take for you to share your faith?”  Others would say, “They’re in God’s hands because I prayed for them,” then ignore the greatest responsibility we have as Christ-followers and invest in them with our time in order to lead them to eternal life in Jesus Christ. 

Just as Paul exhorts the church in Colossia, we are to “make the most of every opportunity.”  Can we do that? Or do we want to complicate by saying things like, “If only my church offered a class on evangelism, then I’d be more prepared to share.”  Or “I am just waiting for the right opportunity, then surely I will be ready.” But here’s my rebuttal.  Verse three in the same verse say’s, “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message.”  Pray for the opportunity first, then trust God to give you wisdom on what to say when the opportunity arises. 

Just today an elderly gentleman walked by my house. It is his custom (habit) to walk by my house. Usually he is carrying a camera on a tripod and headed down to the river that runs behind my house to take pictures.  Today I was jumping into my car and since I’ve never been outside when he’s walked by, I took the opportunity to start a connection. As he walked by my car, I waved, rolled down my window and asked him if I thought springtime would ever come.  He smiled, we chatted, and he said, “Let’s get through February  and I am sure spring will show itself in March.” Then he headed on his way.  A “created community” has just begun. 

It all begins with showing ourselves friendly. Be friendly with someone today.  Pray. Then ask God to open an opportunity to engage them on the topic faith walking.