Another catalogue came in the mail yesterday. Pages and pages of christian books and Bibles to buy. So many options!! DVD series! Knick knacks to put on our shelves!! Bible covers! Shofars! An evangecube??? What? Books on dying churches, evangelism, becoming a better person/christian, the end times…etc…!! And at least 20+ pages of Bibles, in every colour and version. Good to have lots of options, right?
We live in this world of too much information. As christians we get sucked into this trap of thinking, “if only I could read one more book, attend one more conference, have one more encounter with the Holy Spirit, then…maybe…I will be ready to share the gospel.” We have the books and the programs, the tv and radio shows, the podcasts…you get the idea!
How can we share anything, when we don’t have all the information we need? Life is so hard!! We might say the wrong thing!
So, how is all of this information bringing people to Jesus?
We have blinders on. We are being distracted and kept busy. The propaganda keeps us going…from church to church, group to group, conference to conference…all the while our neighbours, friends, co-workers, and family are searching for Jesus.
So where is this elusive salvation gospel? How much more of the Holy Spirit do we need to pray with someone who is hurting? How many books will it take to learn the “right lingo” to ask someone to come to church?
Really, the only thing we need is a willing heart. A heart that asks, every morning, “Jesus, what can I do for YOU today?” Another book or version of the Bible will not make any difference. A heart that loves Jesus is the biggest witness to this dying world. We don’t even have to have the right answers to all of the big questions…just an honest, “I don’t know” can be the most welcoming thing they can hear. We don’t know all the answers, but we know the ONE who does!!
Let’s stop trying to get more information, and start walking out the door to reach those who need hope.
Psalm 25:4-5 NLT, “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.”