It's Time to Tell Someone - Encouragement for Today - April 8, 2015
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APRIL 8, 2015
It's Time to Tell Someone |
"I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow." 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 (NLT)
They showed up at my door when I was 14.
Because they went to my school, my mom let them in. They stumbled into my room, standing awkwardly with their youth pastor behind them. One invited me to come to church. Another teen shuffled from foot to foot and asked if she could tell me about Jesus.
I didn’t want to hear it. I was angry at God, if there even was one.
I didn’t grow up in church, so I didn’t know a lot about the Bible. All I knew is that life was hard, and I didn’t want anyone to fix me.
Thank you very much, now here’s the door.
I can only imagine the scene afterwards. A bunch of teenagers clustered on the sidewalk outside our home on Latimer Street, wondering what in the world just happened.
I’m sorry. I really am.
Wherever you are, I want to thank you for trying. I don’t know why you picked me, but I love the fact that you wanted to tell me about Jesus.
That day you didn’t find fertile soil, but a small seed was planted. Jesus eventually rooted His love in my heart and changed not only me, but also generations after me. I wish you knew that the angry girl in the bedroom became a woman of faith who loves nothing more than telling others about Jesus.
In today’s passage, Paul and Apollos had faithfully planted seeds of teaching in a new church body. We see the newness of the church as members debate about who is the most important, Paul or Apollos.
Paul diverted the attention away from himself to remind them of a simple truth: Telling others about Jesus is not about one person or another. It’s not about recognition. It’s not even about success or failure.
It’s about faithfully planting seeds, watering them and allowing God to grow them.
If someone were to look at those teens standing in my room, they might think that their words had little effect. One day in Heaven I plan to thank them. For every person, including them, who bravely shared the truth with me planted a seed of faith in my heart.
Like Apollos and Paul, one planted. Another watered.
And then, at just the right time, a seed sprouted and broke the crusty soil of my angry heart.
Why am I telling you this?
Maybe you’ve sensed for a long time that you’re to talk to someone about Jesus. You’ve hesitated because you don’t know how or you don’t want to fail. Perhaps you even experienced someone like I once was, and it made you think twice about trying again.
But I want you to know something.
When you move beyond your fears to tell someone that Jesus loves them, it may be exactly what they need to hear that day even if they don’t know it yet.
I want a front seat one day in Heaven when those teens discover that their bravery wasn’t in vain. I want to hug their necks and thank them. In fact, there will be a lot of seed sowers I want to thank, because all of them together made a difference.
They sowed. Some watered. God grew me.
If God is leading you to tell someone about Jesus, don’t miss that moment. There might be someone in your path — a woman, a girl, a friend, a loved one — who doesn’t know Jesus loves them and His love changes you forever.
Lord, thank You for allowing me to plant a seed, or water a seed or perhaps to even watch a seed come to fruition in the life of another. Lead me. Guide me. Show me what to say and when to say it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
John 17:20, "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message." (NLT)
RELATED RESOURCES:
Is God calling you to plant seeds of faith with your words? Join us this summer when Proverbs 31 Ministries hosts She Speaks, our annual conference for writers and speakers, July 23-25, 2015 in Charlotte, N.C. It’s a unique combination of spiritual inspiration and practical application, and we’ll save a seat for you!
What if the next big step God wants you to take is actually small? Wherever God has called you, you can take the first step. Registration for the P31 Online Bible Study of What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst is open, and the study kicks off next Monday, April 13.
Join Suzie Eller on her blog today to share your story and for a giveaway.
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Sharing about Jesus doesn’t have to be formal or scripted. Just share your story.
Consider the following as conversation starters:
- Tell about the day you became a believer.
- Tell how that changed you.
- Share ways you have found strength or joy in your relationship with Christ (perhaps even in a similar struggle).
© 2015 by Suzie Eller. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
630 Team Rd., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
