Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Standing Up


Read It, Learn It, Live It, Share It
“Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Paul replied, "Short time or long-I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." “  - Acts 26:28-29
 I was having dinner with some colleagues of mine, years ago.  We had just executed an incredible negotiation with a major retail company resulting in our product ending up on the shelves of 2800 stores world-wide.  The atmosphere was very jubilant as we sat down to order.  We were high-fiving and complimenting each other around the table.  Each person had done their job and we all had much to be proud of.  After the waitress took our order, I asked if I could say grace.  You could have heard a pin drop, as the spotlight fell upon me.  Glancing around the table the joyful smiles and jubilation had all been sucked right out of the room.  Then one gentleman said, “If you feel it’s necessary, go right ahead. As for me I’ll order another beer.” and he proceeded to rise and walk over to the bar. It had never dawned on me that he would be offended.  I continued with my prayer of thanksgiving and continued success for our team, and ended with a special prayer to soften my colleague’s heart.  Just as I was concluding he walked back up to the table.  “I said I don’t need your prayers.”  I still regret the next words that came out of my mouth, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend.”

  Paul’s response in front of King Agrippa II was so perfect.  He was there in the amphitheater in Caesarea next to Herod’s palace on the Mediterranean Sea.  Agrippa II, the Jewish grandson of King Herod,  had studied the scriptures, knew the prophecies and had heard of this gentleman named Paul, who was arrested for preaching about Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  Paul had shared his testimony with King Agrippa II and provided details of his a first-hand encounter with the Savior.  With all of the passion, love and emotion that Paul could muster, he shared his faith with the audience present that day.  Yet, even still King Agrippa II did not accept the facts before him.  With all of his knowledge of the scriptures and the coming Messiah, he still did not accept Paul’s story as fact. Why? Perhaps, he wanted to show power, perhaps he feared ending up arrested like Paul, perhaps he did not want to give up his sinful life; we really don't know. 

  I propose that what most Christian’s fear when the opportunity to share their faith actually comes along is rejection. Sharing your story with friends and other Christians is easy, but standing before a group of strangers is exponentially more difficult for most of us. The uncertainty, fear, pride and potential embarrassment is often times debilitating.  The simple fact that those around us might label us as weird causes most Christians to cover up the most incredible news and cower to the authority of this world.  Often times, there is a fear that we will screw it up and cause more harm than good.  Consider the fact that you can’t save someone anyway.  You do not have the authority for salvation or forgiveness of sins or eternal grace.  Only our Heavenly Father has that power and authority.  What you do have is the love in your heart, placed there by this same God of the Universe.  Your life-story will have an impact on people, just like someone else’s life-story one time had an impact on you. 

  So, tell your story and then let God take it from there.  If someone looks at you and deems you weird or a religious nut, just nod and take it as a compliment.  For your sowing the seeds of the Lord’s harvest, which will be plentiful one day soon.  For the times that have come and gone where you might not have “stood up” for the Lord.  Get over it.  There are plenty of new opportunities before you and God’s already dealt with the past.


PRAYER:

Lord,
  Humbly we come before You and acknowledge that You are God. We acknowledge Your presence, Your grace, Your love and Your sovereignty. Help us be confident in the face of conflict and opposition to Your will. Let Your words be upon our lips and Your love exude from our hearts as we face evil in this life. You have shown us through Paul, the apostle, how to share Your message with others, let us have the opportunity before us to do so. For it is in Your name and through Your power that we have a story to tell. Amen.
© Sondove Enterprises, 2013
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