Can I tell you about my new, God sent, friend Reuben?
Honestly, I may never see him again earthside. We went out to minister at the Orlando Women’s Center when Reuben came by. He went up to John Barros and they began talking like old chums. Mind you, I’m standing to the side wondering who this is. Can I trust him? Did he bring his girlfriend here? Who is this man that is now having his photo taken with John?? Dag gone this place is confusing.
He came over and we began chatting. His name is Reuben and he used to be a heroin addict. For anyone who doesn’t know, it is a MIRACLE that I used a past tense in that sentence. Heroin addiction is nearly impossible to overcome, except by the grace of God. And that is just what Reuben was soaking in. God’s grace. And you know what happens when you’re soaked? You drip. And every word from his mouth dripped of Jesus. Not one sentence left his lips that wasn’t praising God. I don’t believe I have ever been around somebody that was in love with Christ like Reuben is. Here I was to minister and be the one sharing God’s truth and instead Yahweh turns the table around and allows me to be ministered to outside of an abortion mill! Have I ever told you how crazy my God is?
I truly wish I had recorded everything Reuben had told me that morning. He encouraged me as a mother. Told me how I need to always, always, always speak God’s word to them. How I need to raise them up in the ways of the Lord. How I need to teach them how to share their faith. He spoke so much Truth and encouragement to my daughter I felt, at that moment, so blessed to be bringing my children out to what some would call a dangerous area. Oh you guys, I want to be like him. Because he is like Him. Because when you’re in love you want to tell everybody and you can see that Reuben is ridiculously in love with his Savior.
Don’t you get that way where your heart aches to be surrounded by regenerate brothers and sisters? Why are we so easily pleased to live our lives behind our computer screens and among our lattes? Why are we not desiring to share His eternal truth with others? Why do we make it all about us?? Now, I do believe we can witness via our blogs/facbeook/emails. But when we go to the grocery store are we making sure there is no eye contact made? Just get to aisle 8, put the ketchup in the cart and head for the self checkout. Cause goodness knows you can’t have your day interrupted.
I’m not here to make you feel bad. I’m writing this to remind myself that it’s not about me!
It’s time for a revolution. It’s time to stop thinking the world turns on an axis of ME. We are here to serve. We are here to care for others. We are here to be Christ.
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25:37-40
Can I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone this week and share Christ with somebody? Here are a few suggestions.
That cart at Aldi’s? Leave it with the quarter still in.
That mom with the kids who are pulling the boxes off the shelves at Target? Pick them up for her and start a friendly/encouraging conversation.
That tired new mom? Stop by with a coffee and pastry.
That homeless man standing on the corner with a sign? Pass him a $5 gift card or a Care Kit.
This is all well and good, but also share the GOSPEL. If you care enough for this person to help them survive their day then take that extra time to point them toward eternity. There is nothing wrong with passing along some gospel tracts!
“I’ve always said that I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and a hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life, and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward—and atheists who think people shouldn’t proselytize and who say just leave me along and keep your religion to yourself—how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?
“I mean, if I believed, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that a truck was coming at you, and you didn’t believe that truck was bearing down on you, there is a certain point where I tackle you. And this is more important than that.”
Through prayer the Spirit will guide you.
Blessings!
