On Day 29 and Day 31, we talked about the importance of being a witness to Christ whenever we attempt to draw others to Him. In spreading God's Word, we ought to proclaim to others the very core of the gospel message – our salvation through Jesus Christ. This is the heart of the greatest “Love Story”. And this love story ought to extend to us personally. We should become part of the story, an extension of the love story of Christ that saves and shapes our own and thus our own personal stories. We need to witness how God is loving us and working in our lives, and how He becomes the source of our Hope especially at times when things seem to go wrong. To be effective, we need to be a joyful witness. Don't underestimate the power of being joyful while witnessing to Christ. It is contagious and it can effectively draw more people to Him. And this JOY comes from nowhere but a true encounter with Christ. “We can't give what we don't have. When we consider the mission of the Church to bring Christ to the world, we'll be silent unless we have personal knowledge and experience of a living God.” (Clear & Simple, by Andre Regnier) We need to take every opportunity in our lives to encounter Jesus. Be assured that it is not a rare experience nor is it only for the holy and religious ones. If it is Jesus' desire to seek us out, we should know that He is taking every opportunity to encounter us personally. It is our turn to say “Yes” to this invitation.
“A compelling testimony draws people to meet Jesus for themselves…and then go back to bring others. A person's witness to how God has impacted their life can revive a listener's failing faith. The message people hear is that God is alive and active, and they are given hope that they, too, might encounter God. A testimony can map out a pathway for conversion.” (Clear & Simple, by Andre Regnier)
Creating the dotted line – a pathway – between others and the greatest Love Story is our job as Christians, and we need to be equipped with a compelling testimony of our own. Using the story of the Samaritan woman at the well once again, “many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me everything I have done.' When the Samaritans came to Him, they invited Him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days.” (John 4:39-40) The compelling story of the Samaritan woman drew many to come and see, and they were so attracted to Jesus that they wanted Him to stay with them. And there, the dotted line became a solid line, the beginning of another love relationship, and an extension of the original Love Story.
“Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the saviour of the world.” (John 4:41-42)
