Time to Speak
Theme of the Week: Witnessing That's Not Weird
Terry Paulson
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
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Key Bible Verse: "We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). Bonus Reading:2 Corinthians 5:18— —6:2
I was relaxing with a group of executives who'd just attended one of my programs. There was the usual banter, political complaints, and the mandatory jokes. After a joke of questionable taste, I didn't laugh. An executive who hadn't seen my response, told the men how glad he was that John, "the uptight Christian," had left! If I speak up, I thought, they'll think I'm a fanatic too!
The words didn't come easy, but they came. "I hope that doesn't mean I have to go to my room. I'm one of those Christians too." The apologies flowed, but I interrupted, "Hey, I'm no saint, just forgiven. Somehow people think you have to be terminally serious and judgmental to be a Christian. God came to give us joy, not to take it away. I'm not comfortable with some jokes, but Jesus wouldn't have been invited to so many parties if He didn't have a sense of humor."
Talking about their faith certainly wasn't politically correct for the early apostles. But Peter and John spoke passionately about the gospel to all who'd listen. Although commanded by the authorities to desist, they couldn't stop! Knowing the risen Lord, we can do nothing less.
—Terry Paulson in Meditations for the Road Warrior
My Response: Which do I fear more: being thought extreme or denying my Savior?
Thought to Apply: Our task as laymen is to live our personal communion with Christ with such intensity as to make it contagious.
—Paul Tournier (Swiss psychiatrist)
Adapted from Meditations for the Road Warrior (Baker, 1998) by permission.
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Lord Jesus, You've called me to be your ambassador. Don't let my fear of misrepresenting You prevent me from representing You the best I can.
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