The Challenge

The church was full.  I’d sworn I wouldn’t come again, yet here I was. I huddled closer to the wall, having purposely chosen this seat…just in case, when the invitation came. The preacher preached, and the voice urged.

“Could be the best decision you ever make.” The preacher or the voice in my head?  I wasn’t sure.

“He’s knocking on your heart.  Don’t leave without letting Him in.”  But…all these people, my head argued.

“Jesus loves you.”

I shoved the songbook at my brother, pushed past him and hurried down the aisle. “I want to be a Christian.”

Decision made.

The above is a true story.  I wrote it as part of a 100-word writing challenge I participated in recently.  We were told to take a memory, a moment in our life, that changed us or made a lasting impact in some way, and write about it… using exactly 100 words.  Some of the stories people shared were amazing.

Though many stories were light and filled with prose, others told of lost love, or loved ones; miscarriage, abortion, and terrible childhood memories.  As I read each one. I was reminded of the suffering that goes on around us every day.  As God’s people, we need to be aware and start taking better care of each other.

Easter has reminded us of the One who took pain, suffering, and death…the wages of sin… upon Himself in order to bring healing and salvation to a hurting world.  Before He ascended into heaven, Jesus also offered a commission to all believers:  Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

Let us accept the challenge and share our stories of repentance, salvation and forgiveness…and there’s no limit on the amount of words we can use …as long as we keep it true and according to His Word.  The message of Easter is that we serve a risen Savior.  He is alive today and working in the hearts of His people that none should perish.  2 Peter 3:9 reminds us:  The Lord is not slack concerning His promise…but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but all should come to repentance.

As some stories are hard to tell, sharing our testimony is not always easy.  The fear of judgement or ridicule discourage some from sharing, but we must not let it.  Just observing the world around us and seeing the need should stir our hearts with the desire to share His love… and meet the challenge of His great commission.