Are You Ready?

Imagine this scenario:

               You are standing inside a gas station store waiting to pay for the gas you just pumped. In walk three people, clearly dressed as Muslims. They approach the counter and ask the clerk if there is someone who can pump their gas because it is a religious holiday for them and they aren’t allowed to do certain things during this special time.

               The clerk explains this station is a self-service operation and the store doesn’t employ anyone who pumps gas for people. The conversation continues as the three plead their case. They can only drive about twenty miles before they run out of gas unless they find someone who will pump their gas. The clerk responds with, “then you gonna be walkin’ soon.”

               A young man waiting in line for the same reason you are, steps up to the counter and says, “I’ll pump your gas, if you’ll let me tell you a story while I do it. The three agree to the terms, the young man pays his bill and they all go out to the car waiting at the pump island. As you go to your car, you hear him sharing the gospel of Jesus with them. They are respectfully listening as he tells them about his Jesus.

               Are you ready? If God had put you in this situation, how would you have reacted? The Bible tells us “to proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.” One version of 2 Timothy 4:2, says to “be ready, in season and out.” Translated, that means whether the occasion seems favorable or unfavorable, when we are presented with the opportunity we are to witness to the goodness of God.

               This account is not just a pretend story to get you thinking. It actually happened to my brother, Tommy. Yes, he is the same one who interacted with The Bible Bandit I blogged about last year. (Click here to read that story if you missedit.) He has had other “odd” encounters with people in places you wouldn’t ordinarily think about as prime witnessing spots.

This afternoon, knowing I was going to write this tonight, I considered the many opportunities Tommy has had to witness. I pondered why one person would be put in so many settings that seem like unlikely places to witness. I decided it’s because Tommy is ready.  

Are you ready? There are ways to prepare yourself so that you will be ready when the opportunity to witness comes your way. And, who knows, once you are ready, God may send someone across your path that needs to hear what God has planted in your heart.

Prepare the soil of your mind this week, then come back next week when I will plant some witnessing tips.

May the blessing of joy be yours this week-

Cathy