I don’t know how many of you know the name Lee Iacocca. Back when I was
growing up he was the president of The Ford Motor Company and responsible
for the successfully marketing several car models (like the Mustang) that
significantly increased the company’s revenue. Iacocca came up through the
rank and file to become one of the most successful auto-industry executives
of all time. In business he was what you would call a “go-getter” and he is
quoted as saying, “So what do we do? Something. So long as we don’t just sit
there…..If we wait until we’ve satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be
too late.”
The Apostle Paul was what you might call a “go-getter” of the Christian
faith. He had a deep passion for people to come to know Christ. When he
considered the people of his own race and how so many of them didn’t know
Christ he wrote,
“I speak the truth in Christ-I am not lying, my conscience confirms it
through the Holy Spirit- 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my
heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ
for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. ” –
The Apostle Paul – Romans 9:4
Powerful words…..
Sorrow….
Unceasing anguish…..
Paul had to face down many uncertainties in order to share the gospel. For
example, when he was heading to Jerusalem he wrote:
“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what
will happen to me there. 23I only know
that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are
facing me. 24However, I consider my
life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the
task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the good news of
God’s grace.”
There are many people in our lives who don’t know Christ. Some are family
members. Mothers, brothers, sisters, or children. Some are dear friends or a
co-worker who has caught our attention. Perhaps you too have sorrow and
anguish when you consider their life (now and for all eternity) without
Christ. Perhaps you have been thinking about sharing the gospel with them
but you are just not sure what to say or when to say it. Maybe you have kept
silent because you are wondering what their response will be. Perhaps you
are waiting for them to notice something different in you or to surprise you
by initiating the conversation.
We all have our reasons why we don’t share the gospel with folks. I do. You
do. We all do. This week I found Lee Iacocca’s word’s strangely applicable
to witnessing for Jesus Christ…
“So what do we do? Something. So long as we don’t just sit there…..If we
wait until we’ve satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late.”
May we step out in faith..amidst the uncertainties.
For Him,