It Really Is Good News

There are easy times where sharing the Gospel makes sense.  There’s children in the middle of nowhere Cambodia and you aren’t sure when the next opportunity to hear the Gospel will be presented to them.  There’s the kind girl from the youth group meeting that you met up with for coffee in Albania who is easy to talk to and has smiles for days despite physical disability and personal struggle.

What about when it’s difficult?  When it may not make sense?  When it’s a family with no English speakers and lots of children begging on the street and you know you probably have the money to feed all of them, but you have your own needs (and wants) to take care of?  When the person is not kind or the timing is not right or you’re just tired after a long and busy week?

I honestly wish I had an answer that soothed the part of my heart that feels guilty when I don’t reach out in times like this.  Many of us knowingly or unknowingly wish the same thing.  However, the answer is one that doesn’t make sense.  Our faith and the God we serve doesn’t have to make sense (even though it is super cool when He brings some divine clarity).  It’s not based on human logic, but on the God who is the author and the finisher of our faith.  So, the question becomes: how will the nations know about the Good News (news that has the power to change the course of their lives and lives of generations to come) unless we are willing to be constantly uncomfortable to share it with them?

“For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.  As the Scriptures tell us, ‘Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.’  Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect.  They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.  For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’  But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?  And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?  And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?  That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring the good news!’  But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’  So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”  (Romans 10:10-17 NLT)

The prayer is one of humility.  “Lord, increase my love.”  I’m aware of my innate selfishness.  I’m aware of the lacking compassion.  These are not uncommon issues among people.  I know I’m not alone in this.  However, I’m seeing the faith and the drive to share the Gospel in the Christians I’m meeting (in the countries before now and, also, here in Albania) and I want some of that.  I’m jealous and desiring of increased faith and compassion for people, which only comes through an increase of Holy Spirit in my life.  The kind that Jesus promised when he said, “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for.  Keep on seeking, and you will find.  Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.  You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead?  Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion?  Of course not!  So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”  (Luke 11:9-13 NLT)

Lord, forgive us when we aren’t enough.  Forgive our greedy hearts.  Forgive our fearful minds.  Give us boldness.  Give us courage.  Give us your Spirit who will call us to do things beyond our human understanding and bring us into a closeness with your heart and will that we could never reach in our own strength.  Let us give with the open hands and willing heart of Jesus.  Don’t let us forget how we ourselves were brought to you, how someone else had the courage to tell us of your love and plan for our lives.  It is in your will for us to give just as generously as we have received.