Our pastor shared how he had tried to share Christ with a man dying of cancer. He shared his frustrations in trying to teach this ‘man of few words’ – every question was always answered with a single word, until Pastor found himself supplying both the questions and the answers to an unreceptive listener. He came to dread the weekly sessions. Finally the introductory course was complete and the two did not meet for some weeks.
At his next visit, Pastor was overcome with anguish and guilt at his neglect, when he saw how the once stolid man had wasted to a shrunken frame. As he knelt beside the bed to pray, he choked as he could not find the words to express his pain and grief.
Instead, it was the man who placed a shriveled hand on his arm, and prayed. He prayed to God for the pastor to have the strength to carry on with his ministry, confident in the knowledge that he, the dying man, was going to heaven.
I forget the original takeaway of this anecdote, because the question that filled my mind was how amazing it was that someone could come to have such faith just from a few short sessions with the pastor. If I, who has have a lifetime to read the bible and the vastness of the internet and libraries to conduct my research, still struggle with this, how envious I was that he could be so easily convicted.
It’s easy to say I believe in God, but I often wonder if I could face the circus lions, burning at the stake or crucifixion on a cross for these beliefs. If I truly believed, such temporal suffering is merely a shortcut to the paradise beyond. And yet, the thought is still daunting.
Wouldn’t it be lovely if God would speak to me from a burning bush? Or write on my wall (whiteboard also can). Or even visit me in my dreams.
But if I knew, then that wouldn’t be faith, would it.
5 comments:
hey you, let's talk about it some other time. but i wanted to tell you i have the same fear of all those tortures and tests, and thinking will i really stand on firm of my faith when face such terrible persecution. a sister shared with me a very encouraging point: she said i don't have to think of such extreme case to testify the validness of my belief. it starts small at everyday life decision.
how do i treat my parents with honor? how do i deal with my anger? do i openly apologize to people who i have wronged for building up the body of Christ? how do i do withhold when i want to judge and criticize but always choose to love and encourage? they are no less difficult tasks than facing burning fires, because God never put us in test that we can not faith. His grace is always sufficient for us. we just have to choose what is right in His eyes, no matter how terribly hard it is. and through all these “practices”, your faith will grow. it’s true!
oh and the take away of the story being shared is :
It is never futile to believe in God.
It is never futile to share the Gospel.
Annk: Maybe the work you are looking for is appealing? I think it is definitely easier to be generous, forgive, or even say you have religion on your deathbed because you don't really care about the costs and consequences of your actions anymore. But I don't see how it would help you to truly believe in something.
Muffin: ok, let's talk another time. But I think you raise some very good points ... like should start with anger in the workplace.
why are you timgai now?
yah the story pastor shared moved me too. showed the power of God to work in others beyond our faithlessness, beyond our prayers... why He wld even use us at all is a mystery.
i dont think the man came to such faith from a "few sessions with the pastor" alone. he came to faith through God's work & grace, the prayers of saints. its comforting to know that God is sovereign & pple's salvation arent dependent on us - unreliable, unfaithful, fallible servants. sounds cliche but i see evidence of that repeatedly in the testimonies ard. alot that goes on in the hearts of men are unseen, unheard, unknown to the outside world.
as for standing up for our faith -singaporemuffin is right. its about starting small. we cant be trusted with huge things if we arent faithful in the little (theres a verse somewhere, lazy to search now). the discipled life starts with baby steps.
will continue to pray for yours, our faithlessness.
I just reverted to the original Cantonese root of the word.
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