“PASSION”

“…for we cannot help but speak of what we have seen and heard.”   Acts 4:20

I read a story recently. And it’s so worth sharing.

It’s a story of a woman, written by her daughter. Her mother was a great woman of faith. She was also legally blind. She was passionate for God’s word and regularly memorized large portions of Scripture. She also had a passion for people who didn’t know Jesus.  

As the story goes, the author recalls a season early in life when pairs of young men in white shirts and dark ties would appear in the neighborhood . . . and at their front door. The author observed that many of the neighbors, though home, would simply choose not to open their doors. Others who were outside would quickly scamper away when they saw the young Mormon missionaries coming down the street. Most of the neighbors would rather not speak with the young men.  

But not her mother. Instead, when the teenage missionaries appeared on their front porch and rang the doorbell, she would exclaim, “Oh, good! They’re here!” Opening the door, she would welcome them with a big smile and invite them in. Seating them on the sofa, she would feel her way across familiar floors into the kitchen. After a few moments, she would reappear laden with a tray bearing some cups, a pot of hot water, and some instant coffee. After serving her guests, she would sit down to listen to their message. 

Eventually, they would open their version of the Bible and read from John 1. “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was a God.” It was then that her smile would broaden as she interrupted their reading.

“Oh, I’m sorry. But that’s not what the Bible says.”  Reading from her worn, tattered, and well-marked King James version, she said, “This is what the Bible really says . . . ”In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. You see, “Word” is capitalized. John is talking about Jesus. And Jesus wasn’t simply ‘a’ god. He IS God!” Without pause, she would continue by reading the beginning of verse 14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…”.  From that moment, Jesus was the center of the conversation. Jesus is God. Jesus became human. Jesus came as a Savior. His gift of salvation is received through faith. 

As the author tells it, this conversation happened over and over again. Each time a pair of young men appeared at their door, she would invite them in and share the good news of Jesus with them. She could barely see, but she saw the opportunity.

Years later, the doorbell rang, again. But her mother wasn’t greeted by a pair of teenage men. Rather, a single man in his thirties politely greeted her. He wanted to speak with “the woman of the house”. He explained that he had been in their home before. About 15 years earlier, he had sat on their sofa sipping on instant coffee and had heard the story of Jesus in a way he had never experienced it before. His interest piqued, and he continued to read Scriptures. She had introduced him to Jesus in a way that he had never understood before. Now, he had returned for one purpose, to say thank you.

The author’s mother had a passion for Jesus. I suspect we share that passion, don’t we? She also had a passion for those who don’t know Jesus. I was forced to ask myself . . . do I have that same passion? Do I have a passion for those who don’t yet know Jesus? Do I see those who don’t know Jesus as an opportunity to share His love?

After all, when I share Jesus…I have nothing to lose. But I have a soul to gain!

May God be with us all as we meet people where they are!

Pastor Tim                                                

                                                                          Shared from a blog by Gail Ficken; founder/CEO of MULTIPLI, Wheaton, IL