#98of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney

Today’s lesson is on speaking and not speaking. Let’s start this off with a statement that anyone who knows me, will agree with: I like to talk. I will talk to anyone, at any time, about anything. I don’t think I talk just to hear my voice, but I feel I have something to give. I want to converse with people. I want to share in their lives, and have them share in mine. Talking is pretty awesome.

When I watched Jesus Christ Superstar the other night, I realized something. The entire musical is sung. There is no spoken dialogue except during the crucifixion. Jesus says

“God, forgive them – they don’t know what they’re doing.
Who is my mother? Where is my mother?
My God, my God, why have you forgotten me?
I am thirsty! I am thirsty!
Oh God! I am thirsty!
I am thirsty! I am thirsty!
It is finished.
Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”

That’s it. No talking except those few lines. Pretty powerful isn’t it.

Today, right after church, pumped up on the Lord, I went to do some grocery shopping. I talked to the checker, who I’ve known for a while, about her day. I asked how it was going, how she was feeling, and how life was. In my soul, I wanted to say she it is a good day because you are blessed by the Lord and he has risen. I wanted to say, don’t worry, the Lord loves you. But, I didn’t. It was a good conversation but not very deep. Of course not as earth-shattering as the only spoken lines in Jesus Christ SuperStar.

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples” – Psalm 96:3

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” – Romans 1:16

“for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” – Romans 10:13-14

We are commanded, over and over, the spread the Good News. It is part of who we are. I understand that there are many who do not believe. That is their right. I understand them and respect them. I also know that God loves them nonetheless. I also understand that there is a right way and a wrong way to talk about Jesus. We shouldn’t be scared, but open and honest. If someone doesn’t want to listen or believe, then you let them go. You don’t force it. In our country, you allow people to be whom they are and whom they want to be, it doesn’t mean that you can’t wish for them to believe in Christ. That all being said, why was I stopped from bringing it up today? The person who writes faithbites every day, the one who talks in church about it. Hmm. I know, I am commanded to speak about the Lord and ‘make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28:19). It isn’t easy to do. Whether it is singing, speaking, dancing, or however; we need to use your gifts to spread joy and happiness.

Are you willing to share your love of the Lord with others? Are you willing, in a respectful way, to be the Witness God wants you to be? Are you willing to take those changes, even though it may be scary, to share the Good News?

I am ready (with the help of God)