Daring

Daring

"Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ."

Acts 28:31

It is what attracts me most to my husband. Yet, it is also what makes me feel stunned, uncomfortable, and even embarrassed at times. Many times, I have wanted to be more like him in this way. I have wanted him to tone down this gift at times, too. What is this gift that entices yet whacks me out? It is his boldness. He can talk to any stranger, get them to talk about their deepest issues and hurts, and sometimes pray over them. He has taught me the fine art of getting people, even strangers, to open up, like tonight when I met the college student working at Blockbusters. He was reluctant to talk at first, but I found out his hopes and dreams in less than five minutes.

At the same time, he says it like it is. No society rules hold him back. There are no elephants in the room that he sees but doesn't mention. Everyone knows exactly what he thinks and where he stands. He is constantly holding up God's Word as the plum line for everything in life.

So Doug was just being Doug that day. We were at some friends' house for a nice family gathering. Our children were playing in the basement. Someone called my attention to the other room to show me a collection of souvenirs from other countries, cultures, and religions. So he had to ask our hosts the question. There was no restraining him. Since he was in the other room, he was too far for me to kick, and there was no table to hide it. He said, "So you all have a false god in your house? You all haven't gone the way of (prominent political leader)? You all don't believe that we Christians worship the same God as Allah, the Muslims' god? You don't believe that all religions are the same, and we just worship God under a different name, do you?"

My face may have been displaying great interest in the story that someone else was telling me. However inside, my jaw was dropped, my voice was screaming, and panic flowed through my blood. My face so wanted to show horror! I thought we were going to be asked to leave their home. I couldn't believe that he was so daring. Even though we don't see this family very often, I love them so much. We could talk about Christ with them, and they attend a Christian denomination church. However, I had wondered if they had embraced other religions and forsaken John 14:6 that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father except through Him, but I didn't have the guts to ask them!

Then, God started to work on my heart. We only had that day with that family. We probably only see them once a year. These were some important questions to ask them. Their eternal destinations were at stake! I was so proud of my husband for chain sawing a doorway where there was no opening and start asking them the most important questions in all of life!

God asked me who really showed love to them that day? Was it me who just wanted to have a sweet, fun time getting caught up on family stories for the past year? Or was it my husband who found a polite way to ask them if they knew the truth about the One and Only God? Only God can know what is really going on in these people's hearts. But what if they are not really saved? I couldn't bear it. I tell you nothing rips me up more than thinking of anyone, I mean anyone, not spending eternity with God. I stand with God in the desire to not see anyone perish (2 Peter 3:9). I can't imagine on judgment day if any of my friends turn to me and ask me why didn't I try harder to tell her? Why did I come to her home, break bread with her, laugh as we sat around the living room, and tell stories with her but not continue to share with her the truth about Jesus?

Beloved, our time is short on planet earth. We can't love peace so much in relationships that we forsake true love. If we know the truth and we don't speak about it, then shame on us - just like shame on me that day. We are called to uphold the Gospel in all situations. It takes boldness, but it also requires love. We can't beat people over the head. We must share the greatest love that mankind can ever know. We cannot sit quietly by when someone falls for the deception that all religions are the same. We must speak the truth in love. Gosh, I want to be stronger at this. Whether you are bold or know you are lacking, let's ask the God of daring to teach us to be risk takers for Him and for the sake of the Gospel and for the sake of the only thing we can take to heaven with us - people.

Pray with me: Oh, God, You are our God, and we will always praise You. You are the ONLY God. There is none like You. No other god compares to You. No other god knows the end from the beginning. No other god cares for us like You do. No other god can save us. No other god offers us abundant life on earth as well as paradise with him.

Father, give us the courage to speak. May we not wait for the "perfect" time, but may we make the most of every opportunity. May we have Your heart for all people so much that we don't want anyone to perish that we will speak the truth in love. Teach us to be more daring for the sake of the Gospel. Help us to be like Paul and share the Gospel more boldly and without hindrance. It's in the Name above all names, in Jesus' Name, Yeshua's Name, I pray. Amen.


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