Delighting in a child’s smile is not the same as making them smile.  Observing, wishing well is not the same thing as lending a hand.  The sidelines is not the place for an heir to the kingdom of heaven, we were meant to be in the game.  Where is the game, you ask?  This is where local churches and I quickly depart, as they are unwilling to answer the following questions; How many orphans live within a half mile radius of your church?, How many widows live within a half mile radius of your church?, How many missionaries/volunteers from your church are actively serving at the local hospitals, old folks homes, orphanages, prisons and homeless shelters?  The Christian ministry is associated with “Walking” in each and every image or discussion of the new testament.  It requires “action” to be an obedient ambassador for Christ.  Don’t you want to be delighted before Christ in accounting for your life as you review the pictures, memories and emotions associated with “walking” with the Holy Spirit through this life?  This is the time preparing for the harvest.  As with any farm there is much work to be done and we are the workers, whether preparing the ground, planting seeds, weeding, fertilizing, watering or cultivating, this is the work of any Christian.

Do I know my neighbors?  If I don’t how do I expect to demonstrate Christ in my own life?  How do I expect them to know who is available when this world gets too tough for them to bare?  How do I expect to have the opportunity to share Christ in those brief moments of relationship, if there in fact has never been any attempt on my part to form a relationship?  How do I expect the Holy Spirit to speak to them through this vessel unless I am willing to provide an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to use me in the lives of those that live nearby?  What manner of a success plan is this that I am following?  It certainly makes no sense and most likely does not follow the orderly, sensible and logical reflections of God.

What are my goals with regard to sharing the Gospel message with people that I know or meet?  Do I believe that without any preparation for sharing the message that I will “out of the blue” effectively share the message of salvation in the moments when they arrive?  What intentions do I have with regard to helping the church to reach those in my neighborhood?  Have I seen the Mormon Elders in my neighborhood and dodged them, effectively missing an opportunity to share Christ with them on my doorstep, because I am too bothered to be an ambassador?  Do I use that old excuse that I do not know the Bible well enough to share my testimony, so I will leave it to those who have the skill to share the Gospel?  Do I truly believe that “being a slave to righteousness” is meaningless and that I owe nothing for the price of my salvation?  Can I disobey the command of God to share the message of salvation, judgment and the coming Kingdom of God without some manner of repercussion in this life or the next?

Have I once discussed with my pastor how I might best be used with or outside the church to further God’s plan for my life?  Do I quickly leave the church to avoid any opportunity to get involved or be known for my walk?  What do I wish to be remembered for when I leave this planet?  I struggle with being accepted, even in the church I am ridiculed for my willingness to share the Gospel message with all people.  This is my tiny piece of sharing in the suffering of Christ.  If I must be a gadfly within the church body raising concerns about our complacent hearts then let it be so for I am not here to serve the church but Christ whom saved me.  I know this that I have never felt so good as when I got in the game and gave it my all, even in temporary loss.  The only regret is to never have attempted sharing the Gospel.  I am inadequate to the task but that does not free me from the obligation to do my best to learn the Gospel, discipleship and counseling so that when God calls upon me to play that part.  If God has not yet called upon me to fulfill His plan for my life then I must be in the period of preparation for said calling.  Don’t be scared, be prepared.  Praise God for Jesus Christ the King of everything.