MICAH 6:3-8
From the Message: “It’s quite simple. Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be
compassionate and loyal in your love. And don’t take yourself too seriously—take God
seriously……so listen, all of you! This is serious business.”
The other day I had an epiphany. Granted it might not have been the greatest, but I
got my first senior discount. I have gotten senior discounts before without even asking,
but this one I asked for. I saved $2.54.
So what does this have to do with evangelism? In a way, a person needs to have an
epiphany or a thought modification in order to begin to know that the Holy Spirit is
within them. And in order to do this, we who have the spirit need to show it. The person
needs to see, to feel, to hear what it truly means to carry God within you always.
The scripture I chose is my mom’s favorite. If you know my mom you would
know she lives it. My spirit growth is due to my mom’s ever steady love of God and
church and my dad’s ever steady work within the church. These two things have carried
my faith throughout my life.
How does one “share the good news of God’s transforming love?” By walking
humbly, acting justly to all and loving mercy no matter what happens. Your everyday
life, your behavior in meetings, your volunteering in the community, your
family life, should all reflect your love of God.
If this means inviting someone to church or a church function, so be it. Another
way is by just plain living it and showing it. I say don’t be afraid to talk about
God or your faith. Don’t be afraid to hang up a calendar that has religious overtones.
If someone asks about your faith, lay it on them, tell them how you live.
These sound easy, but we all know they are not. But with God’s help and your
community of faith behind you, it’s simpler.
The bottom line is we all need to get serious. Serious about our lives, our families,
our communities, our world. We must start walking humbly with our God
and start showing it.
Blessings for an awesome Lenten season.
Prayer: God, help me connect with the seriousness of the task of doing
justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with you. And help me connect
with the great joy in that serious task.
Amen.
Carl Cordes is a lay leader at First Christian Church of Vallejo and
serves as Director of Youth Ministries for the CCNC-N.