Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it!
One of the understandings of Deliverance that I have gained over the years is that Deliverance presents us with a beautiful opportunity in Jesus, to share our stories. We can let other people know who we are, who we were, and who Jesus is to us. We all have a story to tell, but sometimes we don’t know how to get started.
In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul emphases it is necessary that we be aware of what is going on in the world so we can relate to those who do not know Christ. The world needs real people to have real conversations and dialogues about our real God.
To start the conversation doesn’t take a lot. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Jesus just wants us to share who He is to us. A simple hello can open the door to share your faith. Being kind. Sticking up for what is righteous, moral, and good can open a door to a conversation about Jesus. Talking about the times we’ve missed can definitely open a door to talk about Jesus. We have the opportunity to tell our life stories in only a way that we can. Let the Holy Spirit lead the conversation.
The situation is serious. Jesus saved us for a reason. We are here to go back and get the people who have been left behind so they have a chance to meet our real God. Matthew 5:13-16 reminds us that we are called to be salt in the earth, as well as shining beacons that point to the saving power of Jesus. People’s lives depend on hearing the good news of Jesus. Their souls depend on it. Without Jesus, they are not going to make it into heaven.
Be a light in the darkness. Share your story. Shine for Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, give us boldness to stand as light in darkness to share and live out our stories. Help us to Shine for You. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Adapted from Shine for Jesus on VictoryThroughWholeness.org.
Bernadette Watkins is the founder of Victory Through Wholeness LLC. She uses her platform to share real stories of life with God. Bernadette’s hope is that by sharing the life lessons God has taught her, other people will come to know Jesus in a real and personal way. Visit Bernadette at VictoryThroughWholeness.org to read Shine for Jesus and other encouraging stories.
© 2019 Bernadette Watkins