I’m fascinated by old churches, their stained glass windows, art, the people who created them and the tour guides who tell their stories. Excited tourists hurriedly snap photos of the art and almost skip to the next photo opportunity. But sometimes, unexpected opportunities arise to share a deeper meaning behind the story and the art. Sharing the story of God and His love for you and me.
Last week, I asked myself why so many people know the stories in the Bible and think they are nice—that’s all. They don’t see a need for a relationship with God.
Do I really understand how to share the Good News with people who grew up in a quasi-Christian family, know the Bible stories, but have rejected walking with God in a close relationship?
My prayer became, “Lord, teach me how to share Your love and the Good News of Your salvation more effectively. I know that Your Word doesn’t return void. Holy Spirit, boldly proclaim Your Gospel in a way that resonates with others.”
Sharing the Meaning of the Story
One young man told me that today’s generation knows the stories and believes in God but going to church, walking with God is for grandma and grandpa. Each of the two days that we were with him, he emphasized that going to church wasn’t for him. The last day, I held his hands, gave him a tract, smiled and said something like, “God loves you and wants a relationship with you, please read this and pray about it.”
As I looked into his eyes, I heard the crumple of the tract as he smiled and thanked me.
I know he thought that I’m just like his grandma. I’m praying that he uncrumples the tract and prayerfully reads it.
A Deeper Meaning Behind the Story
The paintings and art were originally created to tell the people the stories in the Bible because so many couldn’t read. Through the years, the people saw and heard the stories, but did not connect them to a relationship with God.
“Therefore I [Jesus] speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” (Matthew 13:13 NASB95)
Hundreds of people toured the churches, castles, and pier. Men, women, and children smiled as they munched on treats and absorbed the beauty.
As I watched the people, my thoughts turned to Jesus as He mourned over the people not recognizing the time of His visitation.
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.” (Matthew 23:37 NASB95)
God’s Word Doesn’t Return Void
With a sigh, I remembered that God’s Word doesn’t return void. “God teach me how to witness to people who know about You and say they believe in You but don’t follow You.”
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” (Romans 5:8-11 NASB95)
“Lord, use that tract to touch his heart and bring him to a saving faith in You.”
“THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 10:8b-10 NASB95)