Did you ever think that you could use the words, ‘How are you doing?’ and leave the question open-ended. That a mere solicitous question about the other person can be an opportunity for you to share what the Lord has done for you? Their answer of ‘ok’ is prelude to more questions. If they say ‘excellent’ you can rejoice with them as you ask them to share more. (Do be careful of the words you use because if you asked in a disbelieving way or with words can imply ‘prove it’; you will close doors. Open ended words and phrases such as ‘share’, ‘how exciting… would you like to share more?’ open doors.)
Touching lives, making a difference all speak to the same thing. WE are ambassadors for the Lord and I believe we need to share our experiences as a witness.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]…
So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.” [2 Corinthians 5:17, 20]
The Message Bible in verse 20:
“We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.”
Is ‘touching lives’ so important? Absolutely!! Plus it is a way we fulfill what Paul teaches in Romans 10: 8-10
“… the word [the message, the basis] of faith which we preach— because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation.”
When we do this, when we touch lives, we are confirming Who it is we believe, Who it is we follow, and WHAT it is we are saying and doing. This is part of what it means to be about our Father’s business. And what a joy, a privilege to do this. We DO make a difference when we do this… even if we don’t see the harvest.
