The Weekly Word - A Devotion for the Week of May 3
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. (Colossians 4:3)
You might believe that it’s not your job to proclaim God’s message of love and grace. Maybe you shrink back from the idea of “evangelizing.” I’m not a pastor, you tell yourself. I’m not comfortable with telling people about Jesus or God. That’s not my jam.
But here’s the truth: we may not be called to preach from a pulpit or serve as a missionary overseas, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t called to share the Good News in our own special way.
God has uniquely equipped each one of us to live out His love. You may not think of your skills or interests as “gifts” that can be used to evangelize. But think again. Maybe your gift is caring for the elderly or teaching our children. Maybe you are a good listener or a skilled writer. Maybe you have a heart for the homeless or those suffering from mental illness. Perhaps you’re good at cooking, crafts, organizing or gardening. God gave each one of us certain gifts that are unique to us and given to us for the purpose of living out His love.
Evangelizing – proclaiming “the mystery of Christ,” as Paul says – can take many forms, including words. But remember the adage: actions speak louder than words. Whatever your gifts, think about how you might use them to spread the gospel in your small corner of the world.
God will open a door for His message; our job is to walk through that door and use the gifts He has given us to proclaim His love for all.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that You have given me these skills and gifts not only to enrich my life, but also to show those around me how You are working in big ways and small. Thank You for giving me a way to proclaim Your message of love and grace for all. Amen.