But What Can I Do?

During a job interview a few months ago I was told they wanted someone who was more aggressive, really evangelistic; someone who had a passion for the lost. I suppose they are right. I am not charismatic, argumentative, loud and certainly not violent. Of course being passionate does not mean you have to be any of those things, but his use of the word aggressive tipped my assumptions in that direction.

I do care about those who do not know the Lord, but I also respect the gift God has given everyone to choose, to make their own decision. So what is a Christian supposed to do who does not have a paid ministry position, their own non-profit ministry or they have a schedule already full with family and friends?

If you love God then you love people; those who love the Lord as well as those who for whatever reason don't want to hear about what the lord has done for you. This is critical. Are all your friends Christians? That happens sometimes, but if you have a job I bet most of the people you work with are not Christians. What an opportunity, not to preach, but to influence others by the way you handle yourself.

Do you listen to off color jokes? You don't have to make a big deal, just walk away, not claiming you're a Christian, but that you have a lot of work to do. Do company pens or pencils wind up at home? Do you quietly take them back? Do others surf the web on company time? Do You? When you are given too much change do you return the excess? When you find something that is not yours do you return it? When you borrow something are you quick to return it? Are you extra careful with those things that don't belong to you; the company car, the apartment you rent, your neighbor's leaf blower?

You can say little or nothing and still exert influence wherever you are. Do you listen respectively to others, those in authority over you as well as those who do what you ask? Are you quick to lend a hand or offer support to those who can never repay you? How we behave at our job, on a bus, in a mall, especially when we think no one is looking can really extend the Kingdom of God.

How often do we really wonder what we should do in a certain situation? Usually we know what we should do; it is a matter of getting the courage to do it. Sometimes it is as simple as speaking an encouraging word, not some syrupy cliche or Bible verse, but a genuinely appropriate word at the right time. You don't have to look for these occasions. They will come to you, especially the more obedient you become to the Holy Spirit.

The rubber meets the road when we summon up the courage to do or say what we know is right when we know it will cost us. It may even cost us dearly, but God will use our sacrifice to help someone else. We need to understand that  'someone else'  is the point of Christianity. I think ethics and morality play better at work, on the street and in the home than they do from the pulpit.

We can all be about the Lord's business without being aggressive, charismatic, or even intelligent.