As I was praying for who I could share with Jesus with, an Ecuadorian man named Oswaldo got on at Park Street and sat next to me. He was learning English (he had an EF-Education First folder with him), which was an easy opening. I asked him how he likes it (he said it was his first day) and somehow we started talking about Jesus, when I told him that I am a missionary and asked him what his opinion on Jesus was. Oswaldo is a philosopher, and I heard a familiar refrain, “Jesus was a good man.” To that I responded, “He was claiming to be God.” I reminded him that someone who claims to be God, or the Son of God, is usually insane. I, and many of my spiritual brothers and sisters, believe Jesus was telling the truth.
Anyhow, we got to JFK and he needed to call someone to figure out where he was going, and it turned out to be the same stop that I was going to. So I helped him find the address on GoogleMaps and we kept talking. He was saying that I was a kind of person, which I told him, “It’s because I am a follower of Christ, and the love that He pours on me I am able to share with others.” This, I believe, is particularly more true, the older we get. It’s easy for me to get fed up and stop helping others. Even as a young girl and teenager I have always been the sort of person to help someone out. Who knows why? I think maybe God made me that way. But the older we get, it becomes more of an evaluation. Do I have time to help this person? Do I have the energy? How much effort am I going to have to put in? Will it be a huge headache and back full of trouble? What am I getting out of this and how will it help me in the long run? Though I am most certainly a Christian and follower of Jesus, I am most CERTAINLY NOT a saint. It’s an admirable aspiration, to be as selfless as Mother Teresa, but the reality is much harsher than that.
I think we are forced to make a similar evaluation every time we see someone in need; a beggar, an alcoholic, someone crying, a hardened heart, a plea for donations, the list is endless. But that’s why it’s great to have the Holy Spirit for advice. Should I help this person? What can I give them? How can I pray for them? Each person gets a tailor made witness direct from God. And I don’t always get it right. TRUST ME. But practice does make perfect. Walking in obedience to the Lord takes practice and discipline. But the rewards are truly Heavenly, not only after we die, but when we live. Giving to others and loving others sows incredible blessings and the JOY, the radiant JOY that comes from praying and giving and loving others is exponential!!!! The rewards come when prayers get answered (MANY OF THEM DO), in changed lives and hearts, in ministering, in knowing that some tiny thing that is not much to you means a BIG DEAL to someone else.
I have seen a 50 year old man who was delivered from a 20 year drinking addiction after two months of prayer. This is the miracle of a life restored. You want to see a city transformed and brought to her knees? Share the faith! Join Change For Christ’s 2014 Evangelism Challenge and talk to one person about your faith every single day. I promise you will see YOUR life transformed.