The Unexpected Adventure- "Ordinary Life, Extraordinary Impact"- 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Bill McMillen was a financial consultant who had two lives. One before Christ which was characterized by parties and alcohol. One after Christ characterized by the Fruit of the Spirit. His mission in life #2 was to share the Gospel with as many people as possible in his day-to-day interactions. At Bill's funeral several people shared how he had put his own life on hold to witness to them or help them get through a crisis.
One particular testimony about Bill struck me. Bill's business partner said of Bill, "Bill was a man who never had any good intentions about what he was going to do in the future. Bill did everything right then and there. The time to act was now. If someone's in need, help him or her--now. If someone needs Jesus, tell him about Jesus--now." Are there God-things I am putting off doing until a "better time"? Am I vain enough to think my timing is better than the Creator of the Universe's time table?
Near the end of the chapter, Mark writes, "Faith isn't just believing something; it's believing something and taking action in accordance with that belief."
Faith is all that is necessary for salvation, but faith alone is not enough to receive the "Well Done" seal of approval from God.
Father, please grant me the courage and wisdom to give my faith hands, feet and a voice.
I wrote this a few minutes ago and then tried to go back to yesterday's blog and somehow lost what I had written earlier. You may somehow get it twice.
ReplyDeleteOften the obedience God asks for is in the little, day-by-day things...things like be a good husband, principal, father, neighbor, etc. For must of us the ultimate test of obedience is the one-on-one gospel witnessing, that is not to downplay the nitty-gritty opportunities.
More on the apologetics concept (and I hope to spend some more face-to-face time on this subject) I really do want to get some of the books you have been reading.
Yesterday you mentioned experiencing the "loving feeling" that some people seem to have more often that perhaps you do. I don't think it is something you strive for as an end in itself. I think as we become more sincere and focused on just getting to know Jesus better and love God more, such emotions surface.
A watershed time for me was when our Sunday School class spent a year studying the life of Christ. I was teaching at the time. Throughout that time I have an increasingly strong desire to know what Jesus was like in his earthly role. The "between the lines" aspect of the gospels became alive and urgent. At age 70 I was granted the most intimate, personal relationship with Jesus I have ever had.