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Can You Share Your Faith in 30 Seconds or Less?
BOWIE, MD (August 3, 2002) - (Editor's note: the following article by pastor Timothy Johnson of
Church of the Redeemer in Bowie was originally published in the church's
newsletter, one of more than 200 regularly received each month by the
Department of Communication. We thought readers might find it
encouraging.)
By Timothy Johnson
Imagine this setting: you are in a very busy public
place filled with noise and commotion. Blaring loudspeakers are the
backdrop for every interaction, every thought. People are hurrying by, many
of them frazzled, impatient and tired. There is a relentless stream of
these people and it seems that they are simply trying to get past you. Now,
imagine the challenge of sharing your faith in this setting.
Earlier this summer I took a few days to re-read the book of Acts and was
amazed at the boldness of the disciples as they shared their faith. The
settings in which they did this were not quiet and serene, where they would
wait for the right opportunity to speak about the resurrected Christ. They
were often in crowds and in places that were bubbling over with hostility
against them.
Yet they spoke up. Peter, John, Stephen, Paul and Barnabas were disciples
driven with a Holy Spirit passion to speak up about what they knew
personally to be true. They were told (in Acts 1:8), "You will receive
power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses," and
they were becoming powerful witnesses - as promised.
I encountered this very situation at Baltimore Washington International
(BWI) airport as I was leaving for our denomination's Annual Meeting in
June. Along with everyone else, moving toward a gate in order to catch a
plane, I went through security screening. And along with so many other
people, I was asked to stop so that a security screener could look
carefully at every inch of my carry-on bag.
The screener politely asked me to step back and to resist my urge to reach
out and "help" him. As he poked, unloaded things, unzipped pockets and felt
the linings of my bag, I noticed the ring on his right hand - a silver ring
with a cross on it. I mentioned it. He looked briefly at me. Then, as he
continued searching my bag, he said something like this, "Yeah, the ring.
It means I'm a follower of Jesus. You know, in my job, one of the things we
worry about is dynamite.
"But do you know where that word comes from?" he continued. "It's from the
Greek word 'dunamis,' which means 'power.' As a Christian, I know that all
of the power belongs to God. That's why he sent Jesus. So, while I'm doing
my job, I know that He is doing His job. That's where I put all of my
trust. It all belongs to Him and He's here with us. "Well, Mr. Johnson,
have a great trip," he said before moving on to the next person.
I walked away with a smile, thinking about how this man had so naturally
risen to the opportunity to share his faith. It certainly wasn't the place
for an extended conversation. There was a long line of people behind me and
he had plenty of work to do. But in less than 30 seconds, he spoke about
his faith to a total stranger - calmly, confidently and
without hesitation.
Of course, the settings of Acts and BWI are quite different from each
other. But both are reminders of the need to step up to the challenge of
sharing the gospel whenever opportunities come our way. Let us remember
Peter's words as we do it: "in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always
be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason
for hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (I Peter
3:15).
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