ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)–One thing is certain about serving in Southern Baptist denominational life -– there is never a shortage of food. Everywhere I go, I eat. We have breakfast meetings, lunch meetings, dinner meetings, donut breaks and staff parties -– always with a cake. And then I go to preach at a church on Sunday and have a feast with the pastor. Or worse, dinner on the grounds –- followed by an ice cream fellowship that evening.
At my current rate of growth, I should outweigh my car before I retire. Since my body is the temple of the Spirit, I am convicted by this situation. I am determined to get back into some degree of shape, so I am running a lot. Every other week I try to run a 10K distance –- about 6 miles.
A few days ago, I pushed myself a little too hard and as I finished the last mile I felt certain that I must be near death. I rounded the corner on the road leading toward my house, and not one positive or spiritual thought was on my mind. I was thirsty. I was in pain. I wanted to vomit.
But then I saw something that completely changed everything I was feeling. A red car was approaching my driveway. Inside it was a beautiful young woman, smiling and waving at me. She had just driven all the way from Virginia and was arriving home from college. My daughter, Amy, was home.
It is amazing how I instantly forgot about my pain, which just a minute before had captured all my attention. And that’s how it can be for us when one lost friend, away from the Father and away from us, comes home. So many things battle for our attention. So many problems bring pain and discouragement into our lives. But there is no greater cure for that than to share the Good News of Jesus. If you have never known the experience of seeing all the daily distractions melt away as you find out that someone you shared with has come to Christ –- has come home –- then you just don’t know what you are missing.
So along the running path of your day today, why don’t you ask God to bring you into contact with someone you can love, serve and share Good News with? It’s not very hard, you know. At the Atlanta airport the other day, there were 22 featured books on display at a store in one terminal. Fourteen of them were about Jesus or the Bible! Of course, most of them were misguided or even blasphemous, but one thing is clear -– everybody is talking about our Lord. How ridiculous would it be if His followers were the only ones who weren’t?
How do you get started? There are a thousand ways, but try asking an old friend or a new acquaintance one of these questions: “What do you think of The Da Vinci Code?” “Have you noticed how many books and movies are dealing with spiritual issues these days?” Or, “What do you do for a living?” Now that last question may confuse you a little, but it is a great evangelistic question. It allows you to get to know and care about the person. And when he or she asks you what you do for a living, you can say something like this: “Well, I work at … but for a living I get to be Good News everywhere I go.” You will be amazed at how many people will ask you to share your faith.
There are so many ways to share the love of Jesus. Just be authentic. Like people. And watch and pray for those God will assign you to. He always will.
While I was writing this, my new friend, Gary, e-mailed me. I met him a week ago on a plane. He is flying home from Moscow and just wanted me to know that he can’t wait to get back so he can go through the material I sent him about Jesus. I had a wonderful prayer time for Meghan today at lunch — she is my new friend who served me my meal. And the day after tomorrow I will visit with my elderly friend, George, whose granddaughter I met at an ice cream store. (Some of you are already praying for him!) He is very near to the Kingdom now.
Listen Southern Baptists -– almost everybody is open! And they don’t need a preacher. They just need a friend. You can be that friend. And whatever pain you may be personally dealing with, when you see one who is loved by God come home -– evangelism will be good news again.
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John Avant is vice president for evangelization at the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board
