We read all the statistics and hear the news of the changes happening in America, but it's hard to realize how much things change on a daily basis. Every once in a while, something happens that really makes you understand how much life has changed in our society in a generation. That happened for me this week. We've been spending spring break in Huntsville with family, and I took some friends out doing some public ministry. We met with about 5 people during our time at the mall, but one encounter in particular really impacted me.
We stopped at a jewelry kiosk to share the gospel with an East Indian woman that God laid on my heart. In the course of speaking with her, we found out that she had never heard of Jesus in her life. That wouldn't have surprised me if we had been standing in an Indian bazarre in New Delhi, but we were right here in the Bible belt! I shared the message of Jesus with her, and after a few minutes she prayed to invite him into her heart. She later told us that when she prayed, she felt peace in her heart. She also told us that she had never felt this peace before. We spent some time teaching her about Jesus and how that peace was his Spirit coming into her life. It was exciting, and such a privalege to be the first person to tell her about Jesus and know that she was begining to experience a personal relationship with him immediately.
The fields are indeed ripe for harvest. I am saddened to find that someone could actually make it onto American soil in this day and age without hearing about Jesus, because our country was founded on Christian principles. But it makes me all the more sure of my calling to share the gospel with boldness. I'm so thankful for the training we are receiving that has helped me to overcome the fear of rejection in public ministry. It's freed me up to walk in my calling in a way I never dreamed possible, and I know this is just the begining of a completely different life than if we had been afraid to take the risk of this transition. The seeds being planted in our family right now are going to yield a tremendous harvest over the next 40-50 years, and will impact our children's children for generations to come. Our trials are painful and fear of failure seems always to be knocking at the door of my mind. But when I stop to see how God has blessed and taken care of us in this season, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness.
I want to encourage all who are reading to take the risks God is leading you to take. There will certainly be growing pains, but anything worth having in life is going to cost you something. One of my favorite inspirational quotes goes something like this: The cost is the same to live a life of complacency or to fulfill your destiny - it costs 1 life. Selah (think about it).
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