I knocked on the apartment door as the young boy beside me shuffled nervously, clutching a few hand-drawn pieces of art. The door opened and there he stood - Randolph Childress, star of the Wake Forest basketball program and mythic figure of the 1995 ACC basketball tournament where his 107 points in three games still stands as a record. My young friend Jimmy absolutely idolized Randolph, and when I told his parents that I knew where he lived off-campus, he was in awe that he might actually get to meet his hero.
For the occasion Jimmy, who was gifted with a sketch pad, painstakingly drew a couple of pictures for Randolph depicting him in action on the court. As we walked to Randolph's door I assured Jimmy that there was nothing to worry about. He would be flattered to meet you, I told him, and be even more impressed with your artwork. As we waited for the door to open, I noticed that Jimmy had basically stopped breathing. When he saw Randolph in the open doorway, I can almost assure you that his heart pretty much stopped too.
There was an awkward silence for the next few moments, Randolph looking down at this mesmerized young boy and Jimmy barely hanging on in an almost catatonic state. Realizing that Jimmy could not even utter a grunt, I apologized to Randolph for any intrusion into his privacy but this young man simply had to meet his hero and he wanted to present to him some personal artwork that he had labored dutifully over. Hoping that Jimmy might take this as his cue to snap out of it and at least say hello, I was amused to see that he continued to just stand there and stare, mouth slightly open and gaze transfixed as if he was hypnotized. Randolph graciously reached down and took the pictures from Jimmy while at the same time making the attempt to shake his hand. Jimmy was still unable to move or speak so, after he gave what I am sure was nothing more than a wet fish handshake to Randolph, I thanked him for his time and had to physically turn Jimmy's shoulders away from the door so that I could escort him back to the car.
Have you ever been in a situation where words utterly failed you? Perhaps you were starstruck like my young friend Jimmy or maybe your mind went blank when it was time to make a presentation for school or for work. I can remember the first few times that I had the opportunity to preach. It didn't matter what I had written on the paper that lay in front of me, the words from my mouth seemed miles away from what my study and preparation time had intended that they be. If you are like me, there have probably been numerous times in your life where you simply did not know what to say when it was time to speak.
Most Christians will probably never have the chance to stand in front of a crowd and preach a sermon. Yet all followers of Christ are charged with speaking for Jesus, making Him famous in their words and their deeds. One of the biggest obstacles that I have heard over the years that believers face when sharing their faith in Christ with others is that they often don't know what they are supposed to say. And then there are those sermons that I have heard (and possibly preached) over the years where the speaker has said a lot of things but very little of which applied to the gospel or even the Bible itself.
What are we to say when confronted with an opportunity to share our faith with someone or even if given the chance to speak before a body of believers? Look how Paul answered that question:
Speak Jesus. Tell others not just about what He has done in your life but how He is your life. That is what we are supposed to say.
For the occasion Jimmy, who was gifted with a sketch pad, painstakingly drew a couple of pictures for Randolph depicting him in action on the court. As we walked to Randolph's door I assured Jimmy that there was nothing to worry about. He would be flattered to meet you, I told him, and be even more impressed with your artwork. As we waited for the door to open, I noticed that Jimmy had basically stopped breathing. When he saw Randolph in the open doorway, I can almost assure you that his heart pretty much stopped too.
There was an awkward silence for the next few moments, Randolph looking down at this mesmerized young boy and Jimmy barely hanging on in an almost catatonic state. Realizing that Jimmy could not even utter a grunt, I apologized to Randolph for any intrusion into his privacy but this young man simply had to meet his hero and he wanted to present to him some personal artwork that he had labored dutifully over. Hoping that Jimmy might take this as his cue to snap out of it and at least say hello, I was amused to see that he continued to just stand there and stare, mouth slightly open and gaze transfixed as if he was hypnotized. Randolph graciously reached down and took the pictures from Jimmy while at the same time making the attempt to shake his hand. Jimmy was still unable to move or speak so, after he gave what I am sure was nothing more than a wet fish handshake to Randolph, I thanked him for his time and had to physically turn Jimmy's shoulders away from the door so that I could escort him back to the car.
Have you ever been in a situation where words utterly failed you? Perhaps you were starstruck like my young friend Jimmy or maybe your mind went blank when it was time to make a presentation for school or for work. I can remember the first few times that I had the opportunity to preach. It didn't matter what I had written on the paper that lay in front of me, the words from my mouth seemed miles away from what my study and preparation time had intended that they be. If you are like me, there have probably been numerous times in your life where you simply did not know what to say when it was time to speak.
Most Christians will probably never have the chance to stand in front of a crowd and preach a sermon. Yet all followers of Christ are charged with speaking for Jesus, making Him famous in their words and their deeds. One of the biggest obstacles that I have heard over the years that believers face when sharing their faith in Christ with others is that they often don't know what they are supposed to say. And then there are those sermons that I have heard (and possibly preached) over the years where the speaker has said a lot of things but very little of which applied to the gospel or even the Bible itself.
What are we to say when confronted with an opportunity to share our faith with someone or even if given the chance to speak before a body of believers? Look how Paul answered that question:
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with clever words so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect. (1 Corinthians 1:17)Consider how the psalmist exhorts those who love the Lord:
But as for me, God's presence is my good. I have made the Lord God my refuge, so I can tell about all You do. (Psalm 73:28)Finally, examine the words of Rahab in Joshua 2:10. This unbelieving woman knew of the works of the Lord because He had made Himself famous through His awesome works and His people:
For we have heard how the Lord dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two Amorite kings you completely destroyed across the Jordan.What have God's people been charged to say and what were those who were far from God hearing and seeing? They were proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and the greatness of God and that is the message that the lost were receiving. Not words such as, "Be good" or "Do your best." No, if you are a follower of Christ your words are to drip with the gospel and the glory of God.
Speak Jesus. Tell others not just about what He has done in your life but how He is your life. That is what we are supposed to say.
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