Showing Up, October 2023
Me?! Witness? But... and it is a very big “BUT.” How do I reach someone that I have nothing in common with? How do I reach someone who may have some kind of problem with me? How do I reach people who are offensive to me? How do I reach people that have a lot more money than me? What about a person that has many college degrees? Finally, how do I reach people that scare me to death?
Have you had these thoughts? Boy, I have! When Jesus said to go out there and make disciples and teach them about what He said and baptize them (Matthew 28:19 and 20—you pick the version), it does not always mean that I am going to go and be with my “favorite” people.
It has turned out to be anything but! Drug addicts, alcoholics, people who don’t like thin people, people who don’t like redheads, people who think I am rich, people who don’t like the educated, people who are interested in something other than an honest friendship, people who have been hard to understand what they are saying, and so on. “Lord, why me? Why these people? They aren’t nice to me! ” Like Jonah, the first boat to Tarshish is a better idea than dealing with people that we are uncomfortable around; even family members. Or, in my case, I’d rather stay at home and “veg out.” Does this sound familiar?
I don’t know about you, but I forget that our risen Savior left the glory of Heaven to be here with us because we had a problem we could not fix and only He could;
experienced the unfamiliar spiritual separation from God the Father, suffered and died for us because He wanted to be friends and restore us to what was originally intended said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth (Matthew 28:18, KJV).”
Wow! As we follow the Lord’s leading, He will give us the power to go out and reach our neighbors and the city of Shoreline! It doesn’t have to be a major production either. Just sharing garden vegetables, being kind and caring, saying hello, being there in times of difficulty… These are the things that Jesus did and we can too!
"Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, “Follow Me…” The poor are to be relieved, the sick cared for, the sorrowing and the bereaved comforted, the ignorant instructed, the inexperienced counseled. We are to weep with those that weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice.” Ministry of Health and Healing, pg. 73
Join me as we go out and reach others for our soon coming King!