I was chatting with a friend at work who's a fellow believer. She was considering going into Chaplaincy because she believes she will be in a better place to talk with people about Jesus. However, there are some tricky hurdles in her way, including the likelihood that she'll have to change to a denomination which is under-represented in chaplaincy (such as Anglicans and Presbyterians - Roman Catholicism is not an option for her!) She works in a customer service area and I mentioned that she's probably in an ideal place right now to live out the values of a follower of Jesus. Her immediate response:
"But I can't tell them about Jesus!" Them refers to people who aren't followers of Jesus.
My response was that doesn't really matter, that she should focus on showing love; making the world a better place by being a person of peace, generosity, integrity, kindness, patience, goodness, self-control, gentleness and joy (I didn't actually mention all of those but that's what I meant). I believe that it's when we do those things that we "earn the right" to tell people about Jesus, and that happens when people like what they experience and want to know more. I think we need to expect God to be working on everyone's heart and trusting in him to provide opportunities to show his love. The challenge for us is stepping up and loving, especially when we are faced with someone who is not very lovable. But that's another story.
I love your words and I fully concur. Our call is always to be faithful in the little things becuase when you think abou tit, they aren't so little at all. A wise man (my Dad!) once said to me: "Few things in life matter much, and most things don't matter at all". I believe our way to live is to focus on those few things or as Covey put it "the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing."
Merry Christmas my friend!
Pete
I am truly honoured that you listened to me the other day. And yes what a timely reminder that the work is the Lords', and that if we show love in all we do "then they will know we are disciples". I valued what you did say and felt that if the Lord did have chaplaincy in mind for me then it wasn't me who needed to change my denomination for this is where He has called me, but its His role to open doors and if they remain closed to me then the message could very well be that He is allowing me time to study and also to open up more positions within the defence for Chaplains within AOG. We also get so caught up in wanting to be someone 'Special" for God, and forgetting that He chose the ordinary guy, (the fisherman, the tax collector) to work with Him and for Him later on. I believe that He has given me the most important role, in that He has given me my husband to love, and my twins to raise. To pray for them and be the best wife and mother I can be, by showing integrity and patience, by being a good steward with finances and showing compassion and kindness to my neighbours (next door and the wider community) This is no ordinary ask.....It requires me to give of my time, to show patience again and again, to show geniune love and to ensure my words give life, that what people see on the outside....my family knows that this is the way Mumma is at home too. This is the mission that He has given me, and I choose to accept the role. Asking Him for support when I feel frustrated, and continuing to remain close to Him through the reading of His Word, and in any spare time I have, this is where I can study to understand the things of Him better so that when someone asks me, I have an answer.....Only then when I am faithful in what I consider the small things....will He give me more....But in the end regardless I what I do, my hope that is when I meet Him, He will look at me...He will Know me....He will wink at me and say "Well done, my precious daughter...Well done. Only then will I know that I have used my talents wisely. I look forward to next year. Thanks again Tina