If I rest my hope in anything or anyone outside of Jesus Christ, I will be disappointed. There are many idols and distractions out there competing for our attention. It is when we focus on Jesus Christ and building His Kingdom, that we truly have our priorities aligned. This kind of focus produces good fruit because we are best utilizing our time, gifts, talents and resources to bring God glory. When we try to steal the glory for ourselves or allow ourselves to be motivated by superficial reasons, we sell ourselves short. Those things that we value aren’t necessarily bad as long as they are relegated responsibly, but they can become vices and addictions if not carefully reigned in.

I have a number of hobbies that I enjoy, but something in them must point back to redeeming value in the eyes of God for me to truly value them. If something doesn’t facilitate that directly, it needs to be compelling in some way for me to justify. I might not necessarily be able to win souls when I am out fishing with my father, but I get to bond with him and enjoy a relaxing night in the breeze under the moonlight by the ocean. Occasionally I have talked to fellow fishermen about God, but it’s not something I expect to happen every time I go out there. It’s wonderful when it has happened because it reminds me of my priorities. It might be fun, even extremely thrilling at times, to have a monster fish has swallowed your bait. The rush can certainly be captivating and should be enjoyed as a central part of what fishing is about. Yet, I know that being a fisher of men/women in the context of bringing them to know Jesus Christ is of infinitely higher importance.

One time I talked to a man on the pier about the Gospel and I remember vividly that he was considering the Word God compelled me to share with him. Later on, a middle-aged woman came by and asked if I was a Pastor. I told her I wasn’t but that I liked to write about God’s Word and I knew I had a responsibility to share it. She said I should consider it because I would make a great one in her eyes. That was a powerful moment, and while I haven’t written off the possibility of being a Pastor, I know for the time being I am unable to consider that potential calling. It was a flattering remark though, and I thanked her for her kind and encouraging words.

I have spoken about instances where I had the chance to talk to people about the Gospel in other circumstances as well, but we can’t write off the possibility of reaching out to people online. While it may not be as visually impacting as a face-to-face scenario, it’s a blessing to be able to reach so many in so little time. I have even had opportunities to initiate conversations in video games, online chat rooms, and social media to show people the truth of God’s Word. This can come in the form of online articles like this one for FSS, a YouTube video, or a string of tweets on Twitter. These are not to be underestimated as we don’t really get to see the full impact. We may be speaking to only one person directly, but indirectly many view the conversations without interacting with me. I may or may not get through to the person I am focused in on, but surely God’s Word will not return void and onlookers can also be blessed.

When our anchor is Jesus Christ, we also have an excellent motivator to continue pressing onward. I don’t bother getting distraught for a significant time when someone tries to discourage what I am doing. People will often react defensively to any advances towards them regarding God’s Word. It’s understandable how people can get defensive about their idols, sins, or lifestyle in ways that essentially make the Word of God abrasive to them. While we should respect if someone doesn’t desire to hear a word from us, we should try to maintain peace with as many as we can. It doesn’t need to become a scenario where we ostracize people with our faith, instead, we can pray for them in secret and hope that God changes their hearts before it’s too late.

There’s a blessing to know that we don’t have to do good works to impress God or to maintain our salvation. Our motive should be to bring God glory out of gratitude for His sacrifice on the cross in Jesus Christ His Son. We don’t get God to love us any more than He already does by doing good works. It’s the powerful overflow of His love upon me that often helps me garner the strength to continue doing His work. Even in the face of adversity, we can be sure that He will help us to accomplish His will. If there is a certain place where we aren’t welcome to share God’s Word, we don’t have to stay there fighting against the current. Unless God has put a very specific mission/vision in your heart about this place, it’s okay to move on to the more potentially rich soil. We don’t want to throw our pearls to pigs or engage in an endless whirlwind of arguments on an intellectual battlefield. It’s important to get to the matters of the heart, how people as a whole (including you and I) have sinned and how we need Jesus Christ to redeem us for it.

I am thankful that God the Father paved the way for salvation in His Son Jesus Christ. Don’t let one more day pass without making a decision for Jesus Christ. If you already know Him, that’s amazing! Take this as a reminder to then share His Word boldly and evangelize to the lost. There are so many people out there who are heading to hell. Many people who are comfortable in their sin and oblivious to the consequences at hand. They need to know about Jesus Christ so that they will encounter God and have a relationship with Him through Christ. Let this article serve as a reminder to reach the lost if you already know Jesus Christ, and to get to know Him if you’ve procrastinated on making the most important decision of your life. Your soul is at stake and I don’t wish hell upon my worst enemy. Heaven and hell are real destinations, don’t let the devil fool you into thinking they don’t exist.

God bless you and yours. Keep fighting the good fight of faith and trust Jesus Christ to be your anchor and hope in the midst of all you encounter in life.

Photo Credit: http://www.notadaypromised.com/2013/09/looking-for-rainbow-at-end-of-storm.html

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed by website attributed with the photo credit are their own, FSS does neither claim to advocate or disagree with them explicitly.