The Wagley GroupAugust, 2025 – Faithful Living® ~
Not all of us are pastors and/or members of the clergy. Nevertheless, we are not exempt, given a pass or excused from being the hands, feet, eyes, ears and heart of our Lord to the world…right where He has planted us.
It is certainly not popular today to have people openly declare that they follow Christ, especially those in positions of authority across this country or for that matter around the world. Sharing your faith journey or giving a testimony, which in essence ‘your story’ takes courage. “How will they receive what I say?” “Will they think I’m a nut ball for even suggesting to have a conversation about the most important decision anyone will ever make this side of Heaven.”
Once we capture a glimpse, even a bit of the realization of what is waiting eternally for those without Christ, this horrific reality hopefully will compel us to do everything we can to help spread the Gospel to those around us. While there is still time, we need to seriously wake up in creating the urgency to build relationships by planting the seeds of faith and hope within our spheres of influence.
“When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. ‘What a huge harvest!’ he said to his disciples. ‘How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!’” Matthew 9: 37-38 MSG
What are ‘harvest hands’? These are the skills and abilities that God has uniquely equipped and gifted in us. These useful characteristics need to be mobilized during our everyday lives help draw others into the Household of Faith.
Words are important, but the greater value I believe, is how our lives are wrapped up in the living out of our faith. People will connect and resonate more, I believe, with our actions. We always need to be reminded to walk our talk.
Now take a peek back for a moment over your life. From a Christian perspective, who stands out as solid examples of those whose actions have lined up with their words? Have you tried to emulate these values in your own life? Did they spend time mentoring or sharing teachable advice that positively impacted you? Did their love and ability to share truth resonate with your soul? Maybe it was a coach, a grandparent, a Sunday school teacher, a friend or co-worker…
If in looking back, no one comes to mind specifically that reflected Christlikeness to you, sincerely ask that the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts and actions. Pray that God would bring someone to you or that you will be led to a faith community whose members demonstrate an abundant and deep love for the Lord.
For the Christ follower who wants to be intentional about cultivating and building disciples, this process generally does not happen overnight. After spending time in prayer and active listening, ask the Holy Spirit, to place specific people on your heart. Then make a connection and organically build a bond of trust. After trust over time has been established, simply share what life was like before you said yes to the Lord; and then, how Jesus has radically changed your attitude and actions since you placed everything in the hands of Christ.
The beautiful thing is…your story is not mine, and mine is not yours. Although our stories are different, the universal truth is that all of us need a Savior. This is the glue that Christ uses within the Body of Christ to bind us together in living with an eternal perspective. And, it has been God’s design from the beginning.
THE GOOD NEWS: We can’t save anyone. We don’t have the authority, responsibility or the power. We are only encouraged to share Jesus with others. God gets all the credit for bringing souls to saving faith. This my friends, should relieve us of great anxiety.
“But have reverence for Christ in your hearts, and honor him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15 MSG
“Rescue the perishing; don’t hesitate to step in and help. If you say, “Hey, that’s none of my business,” will that get you off the hook? Someone is watching you closely, you know— Someone not impressed with weak excuses.” Proverbs 24: 11-12 MSG
Whether it’s around the kitchen table, on the soccer field, heading into surgery, getting your wisdom teeth pulled, talking to the garbage collector, having a chat with your coach after practice, making a deposit at the bank, grocery shopping in the frozen food section…you fill in the blank _________, know that our Risen Lord goes before us to provide sacred opportunities with just the right people assigned explicitly to us. Therefore, with joy, we can share the glorious hope that we have…
At the proper time, without worry or hesitation, the Holy Spirit will give us just the right words to say as we plant and water and tend the souls Yeshua sets before us. As Christ ascended into Heaven He declared, “Don’t be afraid, I am with you always…even to the end of the age.”