What would it look like if we all shared our faith with one person?
That was a big question I took away from last Sunday.
I can tell you one thing: I’m here today (following Christ and working in a church) because someone from the church shared their faith with me.
Growing up, I was taught to help people and I was taught to have good manners. I think I was a “good kid.” It was all goodness for goodness’ sake—I was taught to be good ‘because that’s the way we treat people.’ It had nothing to do with Jesus. In fact, I never heard about God in my home growing up.
And then, God used some other family members to step in.
At the birthday wish of my Mimi, my aunt and uncle started picking me up and faithfully took me to church every Sunday for years.
Those first years had a few highs and mostly lows as I withdrew rather than leaning into learning the Bible and getting to know God.
And then, God used Ben to step in.
After years of muddling my way through church—not knowing the Bible and being overwhelmed at the task of learning it, going through the motions but not really understanding what was going on—Ben took me under his wing. He showed me how to read and study the Bible. He showed me how live in obedience to Christ. He showed me how to let my love for God overflow into a love for people, in accordance with what I was learning in the Bible.
The spiritual leadership that I did not have in the home came to me in the form of faithful members of the church.
And that’s why I am here today. I feel indebted (in the best way) to the church for the way she brought me into the fold, and I want to be part of that for others.
Remember that story Pastor Kyle shared on Sunday? Of how God passed a lineage of faith from a faithful, no-name Sunday school teacher down through the generations to Billy Graham (who, I might add, directly impacted the faith of a number of members in our own body)?
That is the potential power of sharing your faith with someone who might not otherwise hear an accurate representation of God and his steadfast love.
So, I hope that God has directed you to your ‘one’ this week, and I pray for confidence and boldness as you pray for opportunities to share your faith with that person.
During week 1 the aim was to create a habit of sharing your faith by being prepared to share your faith. Last week, the aim was to create a habit of sharing your faith by identifying someone with whom God is directing you to share your faith. And now, I invite you to join us this Sunday as we aim to create a habit of sharing your faith by recognizing the people God has put closest to you and how you can share your faith with them.
(I also want to remind you to stop by the big piece of blue paper in the foyer and write the name/initials of your ‘one’ when you get here on Sunday! It has been a joy for me to pray over those names every time I have walked by this week.)
May God do a mighty work in our community as we all create a habit of sharing our faith!
I love you, church!
Nathan Ehresman