A woman I know well was absolutely convinced there was no God. She
spent a year rebuffing her best friend’s desire to connect her to Jesus.
She stiff-armed every attempt. She won every discussion. She gave no
indication of any interest whatsoever. But she was constantly intrigued
as she watched her friend have a relationship with the God she didn’t
believe existed.
Then one night during a hard season God opened her eyes, and she knew
her friend had spoken truth. It took a year of someone showing and
telling her the good news. She showed no outward signs of interest, but
God was working in her life the entire time.
So many of our friends and neighbors look like they have it all
together, but underneath that shiny exterior is dullness. What they
really have is a God-shaped vacuum that is not being satisfied by
prestige or possessions.
This Saturday, May 21, is Global Outreach Day in the U.S.—an
opportunity for people who know Jesus to help someone else get to know
him. Christians across the U.S. will unite through a commitment to share
the Gospel with at least one person that day. Whether through
one-on-one coffee shop conversations or using digital tools like Jesus
Film Media, Christians are encouraged to look for opportunities to share
their personal stories and introduce God’s story to others.
Cru is one of many organizations around the world partnering with
Global Outreach Day during the month of May to give people an
opportunity to know and experience God’s love and plan for their lives.
Global Outreach Day provides Christians with encouragement to share
their faith with others, knowing they are joined in their efforts by
millions of fellow believers around the world.
Sharing what Jesus has done in our lives and helping others understand
how they can experience a relationship with him is one of the great
privileges we have as believers. At the same time it often feels a
little daunting. For me it brings both a sense of great joy and
vulnerability. It is always a step of faith.
When I am tempted to pass up an opportunity in front of me, God reminds
me that the single greatest event in my life was meeting Jesus. In
God’s eyes I was transformed from an ungrateful rebel deserving of His
just wrath to an adopted son experiencing his mercy and given an
incredible inheritance.
Why was God so gracious to allow me to know Him and be in relationship
with Him? I don’t have an answer except that He loves me more than I can
comprehend. It is really beyond imagination. But the reality is that my
life has been radically altered beyond the limits of my gratitude.
If I really love my family, friends and neighbors, the best way I can
express it is to offer them the opportunity to experience my incredible
God.
Why focus on a single day? Global Outreach Day is simply a reminder
that we are surrounded by people who are loved by God. He wants them to
know and experience him, and he invites us into that process. Organizers
estimate that last year 1.7 million people around the world trusted
Christ on this day of singular focus.
If you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, it is likely that he
has put you in proximity with someone whom he wants you to reach.
Whether it is the first time they hear about Jesus or the 50th, it is
likely that God is working behind the scenes in their life to prepare
them for what you have to say.
The Internet is full of ways to assist you in connecting people with
Jesus. Among others, you can find motivation and resources at www.cru.org.
Step out. Speak up. Be amazed by what God will do. Someone is waiting to hear from you.
Steve Sellers is vice president and U.S. national director of Cru
(formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ), an interdenominational
Christian evangelism and discipleship ministry committed to giving
people everywhere the opportunity to know and experience God's love and
plan for their lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment