"Who, me?"

“Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.”–1 Peter 3:15, Message

This is not comfortable, but it is undeniable: The Gospel is shared not by osmosis and good vibes but by opening our mouths. We much prefer the option of "Preach the gospel at all times, and use words if necessary." Except that St. Francis of Assisi never said that, never lived that way. There is simply no way around this. Most people won’t know the Good News by mere good example; at some point, someone has to declare it.

And that would be?.... Well, scripture seems pretty clear that this is not the sole task of the pastor or evangelist, or the well-schooled or extroverted. Instead, as a pastor friend once put it:

“Proclaiming the Gospel really comes down to telling your story and letting God do the rest.”

After all, God has ordained that praise come from the lips of children and infants as an instrument of life and light to silence the darkness of this world—and are we not His kids? 

"Yes, but…"

It is good to remember that two of the most significant outpourings of the Holy Spirit were not for personal edification or to be enjoyed within the four walls of a fellowship hall, but were for boldness to enable those who didn’t think they had it in them to speak the Good News with heavenly power and authority, but also with grace and courtesy.

It is also good to know that the Bible is full of heroes of the faith whose first response was either “Who, me?” or “Please send someone else.” And yet, God empowered them for the mission at hand.  Even so today, with the sand in the hour glass seemingly rushing down to the last few grains, God has not changed His modus operandi. The time has never been better for story-telling—a conversation, a letter to a friend—fueled by another fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit….

“I desire to do Your will, O my God;

Your law is within my heart.

I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly,

I do not seal my lips, as You know, O Lord.

I do not hide Your righteousness in my heart;

I speak of Your faithfulness and salvation.

I do not conceal Your love and Your truth from the great assembly.”

—Psalm 40:8-10