I have the best job in the world. Not being a pastor. The job of being a follower of Jesus. That's my full time job and the best part of the job is when I get to help someone else experience the power of Jesus' gospel and the transition from death to life that comes at His Cross.
Today a couple from the church wanted to meet on short notice. They came by and after discussing the crisis they were facing, we started to talk about the husband's need for God. We talked, I explained the gospel from Acts 17 and Romans 10 and I also shared a little from the story of Pilgrim's Progress about the moment when the pack of burdern falls from Pilgrim's shoulders as he kneels before the Cross.
The husbands response--"that's what I need." I invited them to kneel with me on the conference room floor and pray. First him, then me leading him, then me praying for him. When we went to pray he was crying for a good 2 minutes before he could compose himself to speak. This a Chicago guy. A tough, non-crying guy. A guy broken before the Cross of Jesus. After he finished praying I led him in prayer and then we prayed for their crisis.
When we got up his face had changed. He testified to feeling as if God had lifted something. He sensed a change.
There is nothing better in life than being present at the key spiritual moments in people's lives. The rest of life is just a set up for being able to be present when life is on the line and being able to walk with people as they face joys, sorrows and rebirths.
The beauty of it? The privilege belongs to every Revolutionary disciple of Jesus. Its not the property of pastors. (Remember, up till 3 years ago I wasn't a pastor and frankly, I didn't want to be a pastor for most of my life.)
Here's the thing--at the key moments when life is on the line and you've been present through thick and thin, don't be afraid to explain in those moments that the real need of that person's life is to surrender to Jesus. Read some Scripture (have it ready in your heart). Explain the heart of God toward that person and His presence all along the path of their life to this point and His invitation to them to experience a new life.
Any prepared disciple can do that and it is an awesome privilege.
Awesome! I love that we all get this "best job."
Posted by: Stephanie | July 18, 2007 at 05:33 PM
Preach it, sister!
Posted by: Kevin | July 25, 2007 at 04:34 PM