THE LOOK

Colossians 4:2-6
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

As I waited for my blood test, I noticed a young woman with tears in her eyes who was sitting across from me. Her bald head (matching my own), let me know that she was a fellow chemotherapy patient. She had the look. After six chemo cycles of my own, I knew the look well.

Prior to my cancer diagnosis, I wouldn't have felt the same things when this stranger entered the room. Sure, there would have been some empathy and compassion--but nothing like what I was experiencing in the waiting room on this day. Real compassion. Heartfelt concern. Intimate empathy.

After talking with her for a few minutes, I learned that Diana was having a tough time. The treatments were making her sick and the meds weren't helping at all. I asked, "Diana, may I pray for you?"

She nodded and leaned forward in her seat with her head bowed. As I prayed, the words flowed freely from my lips. I wasn't concerned that other patients were near us. Prior to my own diagnosis, this would have been an awkward--not natural--act.

What was the difference? In the previous months, God had allowed me to experience some things that gave me "permission" to speak to the deep needs of a stranger. He had also given me courage to show His love more boldly.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that God will use you to minister to a particular group of people only after you've experienced their challenge. But it is true that people will be naturally drawn to you if you've drunk from their "cup."

What has God allowed you to go through? What gives you permission to speak with others about their deepest need--Jesus? Paul wrote in Colossians about our need to take advantage of faith-sharing opportunities. He said we should be "watchful," be "wise," and "make the most of every opportunity" (4:2,5).

Use your "look" to present people a clear image of Jesus today! --Tom Felten

DESTINATION POINTS

* What difficulties of my own can be the key to reaching out to others with similar struggles?
* How can I become more courageous in sharing what God has done for me?

bottom line: Pain can be a starting place for sharing your faith.

soul journey