Yesterday was one of those fun times where our discussion kept us from going through all our verses.
The question that triggered it was "How would your love for your family, friends, and even strangers look different if it were compelled by the love of Christ?"
We talked about how it's easier to go on a mission trip and share the gospel with someone we'll probably never see again than it is to share Christ with a friend who's lost. If we are rejected by someone we don't know, that's one thing. But we risk a friendship if our overtures about Jesus are rejected by someone we know.
Many times we take the easy road of not sharing the gospel so we don't "rock the boat" and make anyone feel uncomfortable. We know that's not what the Bible tells us to do; it says to tell everyone about Jesus.
I shared a story that Scott told me that happened during Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia a couple weeks ago. Trail Days takes place at the half-way point of the Appalachian Trail. Hikers have spent about three months already on the trail. The group from our church provided basic medical help and tests.
One hiker had developed a stomach sickness because he drank some contaminated water somewhere on the journey. He needed to go to the hospital to get the right medicine to cure the sickness. Scott drove him to the hospital. While spending a few hours waiting with him, Scott asked the hiker about his relationship with Christ.
The hiker said he was a Christian, but then quickly said he thought that his beliefs should be a very private thing--not to be discussed with others.
Scott asked him a couple questions. The first was "If you had a tent that worked great for anyone hiking the Trail, would you tell everyone about it?" The hiker said he would.
Then Scott asked, "If your relationship with Jesus brings you great joy that you would want your family and friends to experience, would you tell them about it?" The hiker said, "Hmmm".
That's as far as it went. But that hiker has another three months to ponder Scott's question. It's also a question you and I need to think about.
I hope you are enjoying your Memorial Day.
Memorial Day is the one day during the year that we remember the 656,223 men and women who have sacrificed their lives in the wars since the founding of our nation. The freedoms we enjoy were purchased at a high price.
On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag is raised to the top of the staff and then slowly lowered to half-staff position. It remains at half-staff only until noon. At noon, the flag is raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.
Wikipedia has a great explanation for why this is: "The half-staff position remembers the men and women who gave their lives in service to their country. At noon their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all."
I'll close with a video tribute to those who gave all they had for you and me.
Make it a great week!
Loyally yours,
Darren Bayne
"It’s easy to carry the past as a burden instead of a school.
It’s easy to let it overwhelm you instead of educate you." Jim Rohn
