Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Make Hay While the Sun Shines" (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (03/06/08)
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TITLE: THE SILENT EVANGELISTS | Previous Challenge Entry
By Henrietta W. Romman
03/09/08 -
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A loud interrupting, knock on our front door brought my husband William to his feet. It was 9 pm on one cold, damp evening in February. That seemed quite an unusual time for callers; we had just ended our evening devotions. The insisting visitor obviously had something important to say.
It took only a minute to open the door and in the twinkling of an eye, two disheveled children, about four years old and their mother simply barged into our Mobile Home. In just seconds the children were all over the place like that scene of wild locusts in the Old Testament reappearing before our eyes.
In shock, this unpredicted invasion took my breath away. “O for heaven’s sake. Who are you?” I addressed the frail, malnourished mother who stood joyfully carrying another baby. With a daring smile of victory on her pale face, her sunken blue eyes happily admired our simple living-room.
“This is so pretty! It is so good to be here,” she said. While she spoke, her two undisciplined girls raised havoc. They ferociously landed over the couch. They both bounced with an uneven rhythm as though they were on a big trampoline! Then they both raided our granddaughter’s playpen with unexpected swiftness, dismantling dolls, toys and almost bewildered us with their wild behavior.
In the midst of this chaos, my husband had voluntarily vanished. I realized that my previous question was lost amid this pageant from life. I repeated my question raising my voice to prove my aggravation at the strange behavior of such an unwelcome intrusion. After all, I am only human, with a full right in my own home…. or so I thought.
“Why are you here?” I raised my voice wishing to scare her, then added “Do you not fear I would call the Cops?”
As I uttered the threat, the Lord instantly filled me with remorse and compassion for this overexcited clan. I suddenly sympathized with their miserable mother. I was greatly embarrassed. Fighting back my tears…. I reached out and embraced her.
She could have been barely eighteen years old with three children.
Then I heard her say the most astounding thing.
“Ma’am, I knew you would not hurt me or my kids. I read the bumper sticker on your car, ‘JESUS IS MY HIGHER POWER’ I even saw a plaque on your door that says, “COME IN: THE LORD JESUS LIVES HERE”
The truth in that honest response hit me right in the face like a rock. “Dear God! She is so right. O Father I had promised You that as long as I could live the Truth and reach out toward your unloved ones, that was how it would be. Thank You Lord Jesus for letting me follow Your light to continue testifying of my faith in You because of Your teachings. You dwell here Lord, so You have sent this girl to receive the help she needs.”
My mind went back to the harsh years we had patiently lived in the Sudan, Africa. It was the start of the Christian persecution in 1989. We were overpowered by Muslim media and Muslim extremists. When we never dared to manifest our Christianity …we used stickers with deep Bible messages. We always prayed over them for strong rewarding results and for the glory of God.
Now in the U S A, we follow in His same footsteps. While I reflect upon this past incident, I cannot but recall the deep lessons I learnt:
--The desperate and needy may always feel safer when they resort to Christians for help.
-As I walk with Christ and trust His infinite power and unfailing mercy, I daily need to back up my own life and behavior with true
obedience to the Word of God.
--A plaque with a religious theme will never make a Christian into a compassionate child of God unless used in tune with a true Jesus-like
character and Faith.
--When truthfully, rightly chosen and used according to our own beliefs, stickers can tell people about God. Even about OUR DEEP TRUST in the Savior.
--A bumper sticker may strongly serve to lead even the worst sinner to the Everlasting Arms of Christ.
“Heavenly Father, my prayers are for every one who reads this message: May those who truly serve You realize the great POWER You Lord have placed in Signs, Stickers and Plaques….to turn them into the most forceful Silent Evangelists for Yourself.” AMEN
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