I was able to get to church for the third Sunday in about a month. Our pastor opened up a group discussion about what does being sent out to share the gospel in the 21st century look like. There has been a bit of email discussion that I put my experiences into. I figured I would post my email reply as a post.
On Sunday, I was thinking how credibility can be found in our testimony. I mean, when God pulls us out of a pit it speaks volumes. God uses our story no matter how ugly, tragic, and/or typical they might be.
When I take the kids to the playground, I almost always tell our story to the other moms standing around. Not for any other reason than giving the hope of Christ. It is the story of our lives and I have to share it.
From another perspective, when the body of Christ showed up at the hospital nearly two years ago in servanthood…it spoke VOLUMES. Every nurse, doctor, and other patient saw the body as the church is described in the Bible. They saw something different than normal. It truly was the Holy Spirit at work. By the way, I want thank you again for the love of the church.
Another place God put me to share the gospel is at Children’s hospital. It is in a different way than I ever saw evangelism before: It is through loving words of compassion and hope and praying with parents for their children.
When Lyd was in the PICU when she was first diagnosed. A person tried to evangelize to me and tell me that my child would be healed if I had strong enough faith. That ALWAYS upset me. Like my faith controlled God. My faith was in God alone whether he took my daughter or allowed her to live. I always thought how hearing something like that by someone with weak faith, might tear them further from God. Who knows. I don’t have the answers, just more question.
Liz
October 21, 2009 at 6:13 am
I agree that those who evangelize poorly can be very upsetting not to mention a detriment to their goal. I think that sharing your story and how blessed you have been to have that faith support you is much more telling. Lead by example not by threats and judgements.
October 21, 2009 at 6:56 am
It’s funny that people pick what they like out of the Bible and make doctrines out of it. I don’t recall it saying anywhere that if you have ENOUGH faith you will be healed. Jesus didn’t say it and the early church didn’t say it. It does say you need to have faith as big as a mustard seed, but that’s not a whole lot. I’d say that still puts 99% of the responsibility back on God. People who have healing ministries say God shows up more often when people are desperate. That sounds to me like they get healed when they know they can’t do it on their own and they just have to have God’s help, not when they believe hard enough.
October 24, 2009 at 1:12 pm
We all still have questions ~ and I guess that’s the way God wants it, but you do have an eloquent way of putting into words the insights that you DO have the answers to. Keep your wonderful faith!
Hugs and kisses to all!
God bless!
Aunt Kay