Conversations - Relevant or Irrelevant

     How often do you ask yourself the question, “What is God doing in and through my life?  Is this something that you ponder regularly?  If we, called to be ambassadors for Christ Jesus, desire to follow our Lords' instructions (See Matthew 28:18-20), do we see the Great Commission as a command or something different?  I think about this often.  How do we engage others in gospel conversations?  If we do not consider how to create conversations with others about our faith in Jesus Christ, what purpose do we consider more relevant?
Paul explains in Romans chapter 10, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?  And how are they to believe in him whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching?  And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15a, ESV)  My eyes relished two verses the Holy Spirit brought to my attention this morning as I read from the 11th chapter of Hebrews.  

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible ” (Hebrews 11:3, ESV). 

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV).  

Returning to the passage found in Romans, we see, “But they have not all obeyed the gospel.  For Isaiah says, ‘Lord who has believed what he has heard from us?’ So, faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:16-17)   The reason that I am writing this article is to return purpose to our faith journey.  It is my hope that 2020 will be the year that we diligently seek Gods' wisdom on how we become better seed sowers.    

A Short Story

     We are in the process of replacing major appliances in our home.  We have reached that age of obsolescence; it happens to the best of us, but Lord, why does it have to happen all at once.  We may choose to call this spiritual warfare when the burners on the stove stop heating, the oven cooks unevenly, the refrigerator moans and groans, and the dishwasher refuses to clean thoroughly, the faucets begin to leak, and the hot water tank refuses to produce enough steamy water to serve the needs of teenage girls who wish to take long showers.  We’ve reached that stage of knowing it is time to replace.  There’s coming a time when we will downsize and move to another home.  Although it may be a more generous for future home buyers if we waited, we have decided to enjoy the new replacements ourselves.

     For the past several weeks, we’ve had plumbers, electricians, and appliance dealers visiting our home.  Each time the front door opens, I escort those whom I don’t know through our home.  In these moments, I am not just thinking of how these folks will serve our needs; I’ve had time to consider how I, too, may serve them with a gospel conversation.  We should not let opportunities slip away.  As Jesus' disciples were sent out into the world, I believe Jesus has called me to be sent out my front door, but also within (my own abode).  I will continue this story after I briefly digress.

     Several years ago, I was part of a multi-level marketing company that taught us to talk with anyone within a three-foot radius, to be a conversationalist with a cause.  I pursued that industry for many years only after finding a product that I was willing to build a testimony around.  Long story short, I found myself talking exclusively about this business, and I stopped talking about God.  Fortunately, I received a wake-up call.  I was born for more than this.  Chasing money is far less satisfying that seeking souls for Jesus.  Reluctant at first, I let my business set idle for several years as I decided to listen to the voice inside that said, ‘If you would only talk about Me the way you talk about that man-made product, what a difference your life would make.'  It was the voice of the Holy Spirit directing me to be more deliberate about sharing Jesus with others. 

     While I was in business-building mode; I learned to use opportunities that presented themselves to me on my turf.  I talked to housekeepers, lawn-service guys, windshield replacement specialist, dog fence installers, painters, carpet cleaners, furniture movers, etc.  Anyone who stepped foot on our property, knew how my product could improve their business.  I often experienced favorable results.  I learned not to fear the conversation.  God was equipping me with skills to further His kingdom.  Even though my product had a practical application for others, I was still profiting from their decision and didn't need to.  I was talking about man-made products, not Eternal choices.  Since we didn't need the financial resources my business created, the voice within convinced me to stop chasing it.  Sometimes it is not the money we are chasing, but a false identity; now that's another story (not yet ready for prime-time).  How easy is it to find ourselves fully consumed by idle chit-chat?.  

     This week I decided, as two young men provided a quote for various options to replace our hot-water, tank that I would be intentional about creating a gospel conversation.  These transitions often feel clumsy, but they are worthy of our practice.  I asked each of them what they were doing to celebrate Christmas.  Much to my surprise, a great revelation occurred; both men had broken marriages and multiple family plans due to an increased number of in-laws (or outlaws) they need to visit (with sons or daughters of a different mother.)  As one man shared his experience, the other man confessed that he too came from a broken family.  Although his marriage had lasted 16 years, it was holiday plans that broke the camels back.  I expressed understanding that holidays can be a tough reminder of how we hoped things would have turned out differently.  I asked, “so how might you restore hope to your holiday traditions?"  They looked puzzled.  I asked another way, "so do you have any plans to attend church over the holidays?"  One of the young men looked as though he swallowed a canary, while the other one said, “I don’t mean any disrespect to your question, but I have gone that route and have been highly disappointed by the people that I have encountered in the church.  He went on to say that it had not been one church but many that nailed the coffin on repeating that experience.  They are all the same.”  He talked about karma, and how he had learned that if you live a good life, life will give you good things.  He talked for about ten minutes while his partner remained determined to blend into the woodwork.

     Have you ever been told that one should never start conversations about religion or politics?  Do you allow your thinking to be influenced by this opinion?  When we understand the gospel, and we respect the gift of grace we have received through Jesus, we should be willing to face an awkward moment and talk about our faith.  In Colossians 2:8 (ESV), Paul writes, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”  I believe the world would like us to remain silent.

     I allowed the young man to finish his thoughts on the matter before asking if he would allow me to share a response with him.  He said, “yes.”  I wouldn’t have expected any other response, as he was in my home trying to sell me a product that could bring him a considerable commission.  I said, “What you have expressed is a common failure of people to show you how Jesus desires us to walk in His likeness.  When the world speaks of those who attend church, a prevalent complaint is that churches are full of hypocrites.  That is true because the ones who populate churches come from the world.  How can it be any other way.  The world is filled with hypocrites, but unfortunately, it is only the ones found in churches that get our notice.  People are people, we all sin.  We all fall short of Gods' plans for us.  What I’ve learned through great instruction is that when we look horizontally to see God through man we do not always get a fair representation of God.  The best way to get a clear picture of God is to look in His direction.  We call this vertical vision.  Humankind will never achieve perfection this side of heaven.  When we place our attention on God and what He has done on our behalf, we see the love that is missing from this world.  It takes a different set of eyes to see this.  What we have here will fade away, and what is to come has been planned from the very beginning, but you have to have a right relationship with Jesus.”  It wasn’t hard to attempt to explain this to either of these men, but I knew that I would not be the one to change their hearts, only God can do that. 

     We are seed sowers.  Although it would be nice to see lush green plants bearing fruit from the seeds we sow, it is my job to first get the seeds into the ground.  I decided to pause the conversation with the thought that God could water and nourish these seeds if He desired.  He can also return these gentlemen to my home in the future if He desired to do so.  My husband and I already decided to give them our business; however, we allowed them to leave without a signed contract, as I wished them a very Merry Christmas.

Another Point of View

    I share this next conversation to illustrate a point of view that may hinder one's ability to partake in a conversation like the one I just shared.  A friend joined me for a cup of tea and I shared my gospel conversation experience with her.  Afterwards she said with the utmost sincerity, "Oh, I would not be able to do that; I was not given that spiritual gift.  You know that the church is made up of many body parts, and I did not receive the gift to talk about my faith.”  I didn’t wish to dispute her thoughts about spiritual gifts but wanted to encourage her to think of gospel conversations as a practiced skill.  I reminded her of a book that we received last Christmas called, “Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations.”   I asked if it might be time for us to re-read its’ content and practice with one another.  Sometimes I believe we lose our understanding of our spiritual purpose when we seek what is comfortable.  It is impossible for me to believe that God calls only some of us to talk about our faith and not others.  Jesus created opportunities for the disciples to practice (see Matthew 10 and Luke 10).      

     Peter shares, “Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?  But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,  having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame”  (1 Peter 3:13–16 (ESV)).  There is a component in this verse that indicates that the hope produced by our faith must be observable for someone to ask us a question in which we are prepared to respond.  One thing we certainly should consider is how ‘set apart’ are we to make our faith observable.  Barna Research seems to indicate that more Christians are living in such a way that we blend in with society.  We should be asking ourselves, how observable is it to others that we have something that they cannot identify and wish for us to explain it to them?  Is your hope showing?

     Again, drawn to Scriptures from my reading plan, I found this in Philemon.  The apostle Paul was building up Philemon, a brother in the faith so that he could encourage unity.  In this passage, he said, “I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers,  because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints,  and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.”  (Philemon 1:4-6, ESV) I could not overlook how Paul prayed for the outcome of Philemon's 'sharing.'   I loved the way Paul built Philemon up with encouragement.  I was equally impressed that the Holy Spirit caught my attention with how astute Paul was to the needs of this church leader and the people within the church.  The Spirit also guided my eyes to the two verses I shared above (see Hebrews 11:3,6) regarding faith or the lack thereof.  It is faith in God that produces our understand, and faith will grow when we receive good teaching from a Godly church and the Holy Scriptures.  Daily I prepare my heart to be able to speak on the topic of faith.  It is a study worth investing in for the sake of our lost world.  If we do not engage in sowing seeds, many will be lost.  We need to engage in the practice of being conversation starters.  It is time we invest ourselves in teaching one another how to develop good gospel conversations.    

I hope this article comes at a time of the year that you find it easy to talk about Jesus.  Don’t neglect the work of sharing your faith with others.  You may offer the seed that changes one’s course forever.  Happy Holidays.