"Being Christ's Witnesses"

From S O U N D B I T E S:

Something to chew on that is good for the soul™

BEING CHRIST'S WITNESSES

I thought that all we have to do is build a Church, preach the gospel, sing a few hymns, and then people will flock to us. We'll hold a tea and the neighborhood ladies will come. We'll serve ice cream and all the youth will come running. That's all we have to do. Pray, give, worship, and socialize. We can send out missionaries to other countries to convert the heathen for us. That is the traditional way. We have been doing it for years.

But I can't find anything in Your words to substantiate this, Jesus. Nothing. You never said people should come to us. You did say that we should go to them. You never told us anything about socials, but quite a bit about prayer. You never said others should become missionaries for us. You said we all have the privilege of being Your witnesses. Did You, in fact, ever tell me anything else but to pray and witness, and that You would be with me? Have I fallen so far into my comfortable churchy pattern that I cannot hear Your disturbing voice any more?

-- H.S. Vigeveno in Jesus the Revolutionary
(SOUND BITES is a free, five-day-a-week e-mail ministry begun in 1999 in memory of Dustin Wilkinson, 1982-1998. Rev. Dave Wilkinson is founder and editor. SOUND BITES originates from First United Methodist Church in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. SOUND BITES Ministry™ is also available as a blog. Follow it at www.SOUNDBITESministry.blogspot.com. Bringing the good news of God’s grace through Jesus Christ to the whole world, "The world is our parish.")


Dear God,
There is so much to learn about You and there is a part of me that just enjoys our company together and resists others coming into that special relationship. And, yes, it is so much easier to be with others who know and love You than to introduce You to others who do not know you. And, God, I don't really know how to share You. I did once, when I was younger and innocent, but now I don't. I can "tell" others about You by praying and going to church, but I have lost the way to share you so that others may have a relationship with You. I suspect, God, that this comes because while I believe that every person is a person of worth and intellect, I can learn from them, You bring blessings through each and every encounter with others on my spiritual journey, ~ more often than not, my extending You through action turns into their taking me, money, time, energy, self-esteem. Give me the courage to stay true to You, to extend love and graciousness while learning from others about You and where I am in relationship with You. Renew my energy, renew my strength, that I may be a blessing to others. Amen.