The Unexpected Adventure- UE 9- "Inviting Adventure" Luke 14:23
Anything, everything and nothing are the three words lead into today's reading. Mittelberg points out that many Christians are afraid to do anything, until they know how to do everything, so they end up doing nothing. Very few of us will ever accompany a person through the entire series of steps and experiences that will lead an unsaved person to salvation. One person may plant a seed. Another believer may offer an invitation to church. Yet another person may be there to answer some burning questions. A fourth person may provide an act of Christian service that furthers the Christian witness to a particular lost person. And so on.
I am not expected to be the initiator and finisher of a person's road to salvation. What I am required to do is be there in whatever capacity and play whatever part the Lord has for me in helping an unbeliever move closer to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. For me, that is a liberating realization.
Each Christmas eve, Kristi and I go to Waffle House after the 11 p.m. service at Schweitzer Methodist. This year we went to our usual Waffle House for waffles and sausage. Sitting in the booth next to us were six young people in their late teens or early 20s. The "leader" of the group asked us what we were doing, and I was able to tell them briefly that we had just been to a Christmas eve service at church. He then went on to tell me they were, "Just eating and getting high."
Considering the lateness of the hour and the number of them packed into the booth, they were not at all boisterous or loud. However, it was obvious that their evening was just beginning. (The leader gave some money to one of the group to "go buy some cheap vodka".
When we were getting ready to leave, I quietly asked the waitress to bring their ticket to our table. She looked a bit confused, but did as we asked. Kristi and I paid the group's bill. When we were leaving I went over to the group and let them know the bill was paid and wished them a good evening. They were very thankful and the leader even said, "God bless you."
I don't know if the event had any Kingdom impact on the young people, but I do know that at least twice in their night, the words church and God had been mentioned. Perhaps it planted just seed or revived a memory of a time in one of their lives when God had been an important part.
Please say a quick prayer for the group of Waffle House diners. I don't know their names, but God does.
Make this weekend an Unexpected Adventure!
Good insights concerning the compartmentalization of the witnessing process. May I add a couple of thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI understand the choice of the word "required" in paragraph two...and indeed, it is a privilege. But it is also a "privilege" to be considered by the AlmightY God to be a small part of his plan to reach the unsaved. (Sort of like a coach allowing me to be part of his "team")
Let me suggest another method we can use to fulfill our requirment/privilege role. When I remember it,I try to say to our server when he/she takes our order "We are going to be praying in a few minutes, is there anything we can pray about for you?" (Remind me to tell you about the latest one at the Waffle House in Ozark.)
I know my pride/pleasure in the least important of all the reasons you are choosing to grow in your walk with the Lord, but know that I am taking a fair amount of both during the past few months.
Love ya
Dad
Love the idea of asking the server if he/she has any prayer needs.
ReplyDeleteAlong that line is something Dr. Marshall at Second Baptist Church once said. If, as churchies, we go out to eat after church on a Sunday, our tips should be at least the accepted percentage. If we leave a tract and a 5% tip, guess which one will override the other?