The following account is from Jay Johnston, the director of FAITH/ Evangelism and Discipleship for LifeWay Christian Resources.
While helping a friend jump-start his car in my driveway, I noticed that I had a nail in my front left tire. My first thought was, "WOW! God, you are so good to let me find that nail in the tire before it goes flat!"
The next day I took it to the local Super Wal-Mart where I usually have my car serviced. While I was waiting for them to repair the tire, I walked over to the grocery section of the store. It's a new store, and I had recently asked the store to carry two food items that our family uses. As I walked around looking for those two items, I found that they still did not have the products on the shelves, so I sought out an employee to make another request.
I came upon a man who was singing and seemed to enjoy his work in the fresh produce section very much. I walked up to him and said, "Hey, I like your singing!"
He smiled and said, "Thanks."
I then proceeded to ask him about the two items I was looking for in the store. He said the people responsible for those departments were not in the store at the time but if I wrote down the information, he would be glad to give it to them.
I did so, thanked him, and said, "I have another question for you."
Before I could say anything else, he looked straight into my eyes and said, "I'm saved."
I smiled and responded, "Tell me about your relationship with Jesus."
He told me his whole story, and then looked at me again and asked, "Are you an angel?"
I assured him that I wasn't, but that I was commissioned by Jesus to go through the day sharing the Good News of Jesus. He seemed pleased, and then I called him by name and said, "You know, you can do the same."
He shared his story of how difficult it was to live the Christian life around people at his other job. I encouraged him that, with a smile like his and a story like his, we just needed to pray that God would give him the strength to share the Good News. I then went on to say, "You know, you have a great opportunity to share Jesus right here, because the world comes to Wal-Mart!"
He responded with a great big smile and said, "I can do that, can't I?"
I smiled right back and simply said, "Yes."
We shook hands, and as I started to walk away, he asked, "Are you sure you're not an angel?"
Are you bringing glad tidings to people in your world today? As a child of God you have been commissioned to go and tell! Everyday you come across opportunities where the Lord opens the door for you to share. Be aware — don't miss a single one.
This is His season. As we're out shopping, inviting neighbors to celebrate, or gathering with unsaved family members, let's remember to bring glad tidings and great joy!
