“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16 NLT)
Here is your Monday Short meditation! I went to get my cracked, front windshield replaced last Friday. I walked in the repair shop with my book bag over my shoulder, ready to make the most of my two-hour wait time, by working on a Bible Study Worksheet. I did not bring my laptop, but resorted to old school and brought a notebook and pen. Of course I had a compact Bible, but by necessity, it had large print.
After checking in and turning over my keys to the technician, I had two options. I could go and sit in the small waiting room, or I could sit at one of the four small conference tables adjacent to the receptionist’s desk and a number of open, occupied cubicles where employees were working. The table nearest the door, a location where every customer entered the building, and the foot traffic of workers walked by temporary, remote office. It really did seem like I was at a place where I worked in previous days.
I take out my notebook, pen, and Bible and to ensure I would not be interrupted, I hog up the whole table. My Bible is laying wide-opened, and my book bag was laid on the table as well in front of a vacant chair Did I get anything done? During my two hour wait, I not only completed the work I had planned to do, but I took a few church business calls on my cell. On one of the calls, a pastor called and greeted me with “To God Be The Glory!” We talked for over 30 minutes and at times our voices escalated in praise. Yes, you have thought that this commandeered space was my assigned office at church or in an open, private area. But no, that was not the case.
Here is the point, I did not try to hide my Bible, act like I was working on something other than church work, and I did not try to tone down my dialogue with my fellow laborer in the Lord. Neither did he! I am positively sure that my voice could be heard across the room, and at times when tears of joy fell, they could be seen by others. There was a lot of “Praise God,” “Thank God” and “That’s how the Lord works,” as well as “To God be the glory!” We built up each other in our verbal exchanges about preaching the word! But you want to know something? I’m sure you said, “Yes!” Well, I’ll tell you.
I was not ashamed of the gospel, and I was not ashamed of talking “God-talk” and engaging in “Jesus conversations.” Now was, including you, wherever we go on this Monday morning, our witness should be evident, and we should not hide the fact that we are one of the Lord’s children!
Another Monday Short that seems not so short? Maybe! But I ain’t ashamed! Go forth through this day and show that neither are you! Be unashamed to let you name, “God’s child,” and your being “God’s property, be in clear view! Be blessed!
“For I will pour water on the thirsty ground and send streams coursing through the parched earth. I will pour my Spirit into your descendants, and my blessing on your children. They shall sprout like grass on the prairie, like willows alongside creeks. This one will say, ‘I am God’s, and another will go by the name Jacob; that one will write on his hand ‘God’s property’—and be proud to be called Israel.” (Isaiah 44:3-5 The Message Bible)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King