Jesus answered her, “If you knew the
gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would
have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” – John 4:10
Summer is
all about outdoor events. I see the crowds gathering at picnics and parades; I
see their faces. They’re real human beings with real souls. They live near you,
dear reader. They are your cashiers, waiters, mechanics, and bank tellers. They
are linemen, electricians, plumbers, and call center professionals. They are
janitors, lawyers, emergency professionals, and nurses. I see their faces and
wonder, “Has my flock told you the good news?”
We are
commanded by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the good news
message of Christ to all people. Jesus in John 4 proclaimed the Kingdom of God
to the Samaritan woman, not as a marketed event or shouting to the masses, but personally. Do you evangelize to people
personally? Do not simply invite the Samaritan woman to church or be preachy
without personal relationships. Are you building relationships with the
steadfast love of Christ you now possess?
You must
treasure Christ to talk about Christ to others, because we only talk about what
we love. If you evangelize without treasuring Christ, it will feel more like
being a marketing professional rather than a delight. I beg you, desire Christ.
Make your heart’s treasure be Christ above all else.
When you
treasure Christ, be the earthen vessel that carries this Treasure and speaks
this Treasure (II Corinthians 4:7)! As a shepherd in Christ’s rule, I beg you
with tears: go, serve, love, build relationships with your neighbors with
Christ as your foundation. Do not remain silent, feasting at the Lord’s table
of mercies while countless souls starve around you without tasting and seeing
that the Lord is good!
Spurgeon
once said, “To be a soul winner is the happiest thing in this world. And with
every soul you bring to Jesus Christ, you seem to get a new heaven here upon
earth.” Let us be found faithful soul winners with great joy proclaiming the
glorious good news of great joy that is for all people.
Heavenly Father, we need Your grace and power to still our hearts in
peace, dispel our fears, and open our lips to talk to others about Christ our
treasure. Prepare the fields, O Lord of the harvest! Prepare Your laborers and
send us out. Lord, use my rescued life as Your instrument to Your glory. Amen.
