But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15
Thoughts:
I gulp and swallow deeply when I even think of the gift of evangelism. You should see me if I hear about a class that teaches it: I want to run away as fast as I can. In fact, I want to hide.
I gulp and swallow deeply when I even think of the gift of evangelism. You should see me if I hear about a class that teaches it: I want to run away as fast as I can. In fact, I want to hide.
And yet, God has kept putting me in situations over my
life time where He calls me to share Jesus with people. I protest “that is not
MY spiritual gift, Lord” and I imagine He is rolling His eyes. A big eye roll
in my case.
I admire the pastors and preachers, the missionaries
and the Billy Grahams of the world who have this gift and multitudes of people
walk the aisle and accept Jesus as their Savior.
I am in awe how the words tumble out of their mouths so
smoothly and people keep walking forward and keep getting saved. Even in Acts, when
Peter spoke, he saw thousands came to know Jesus.
However, over time, I have realized God has called me
in a different way from Billy Graham to share my faith. He has made it very
clear I am to go to the people where they are and just be myself. Like order a
cup of coffee, sit on a bench, smile at people and hand them one of my painted
hearts. (gulp) Or sit in a park and paint the hearts, drawing people to my
table where I can give them a heart that has Trust in the Lord painted across
it.
He prompts me to be authentic, to be exactly the woman who
He made me to be. And share honestly, without reservation, but with respect and
gentleness (1 Peter 3:15 ) how He changed my life. How He taught me how to trust Him no matter
what. Read those three words again:
No Matter What.
I totally trust God with my whole heart no matter what.
It’s been a long journey for me to learn that; I graduated three years ago from
wanting to fret to wanting to place every ounce of my trust in Him.
Lysa Terkeurst shared that when something is God’s plan
for us, if we can do it all on our own, then rethink it. If it is so off of our
radar, out of our scope, then He steps in to do the work. And is He ever
stepping into my life right now!
And so I said “Yes, use me” and God is sending daily echoes
of His plan for me as I prepare to hit the road next summer, traveling on my
first journey with Hearts Across America where I will (gulp) share my faith “my
way”.
Am I nervous? Kind of. But mostly I am excited. I know If
God has called me to be used this way, in random encounters and divine appointments,
then why should I fret at all?
An ordinary woman like me can be used by God because
all I needed to do is say “Yes, Lord. Use me.”
And then, no more eye rolls.
Actions:
Can you say "Yes, Lord, use me!" What is stopping you? Ask God now to show you how He wants to use you in the lives of others.
Prayer:
Lord, I pray for each reader today that they listen to Your gentle nudging of where You want to use them. Open their hearts and minds and show them how trustworthy You are.
Actions:
Can you say "Yes, Lord, use me!" What is stopping you? Ask God now to show you how He wants to use you in the lives of others.
Prayer:
Lord, I pray for each reader today that they listen to Your gentle nudging of where You want to use them. Open their hearts and minds and show them how trustworthy You are.
Trusting in the Lord,
Becky
See my pre-journey posts and more at Hearts Across
America: https://www.facebook.com/HeartsAcrossAmerica.
And perhaps you will want to sign up to pray for people in a particular west coast city that I will be meeting along the way.
