I went to a grocery store, not the same one, but a different store every day last week. Yet in those places and spaces filled with faces, it didn’t happen! I sat in a lobby area at a local hospital, working at a table alone on my personal computer. There was an open seat across from me, and I believe I looked open to conversation or at least worthy of a friendly greeting. You see, I was careful not to look unapproachable, unfriendly, or as I wanted to be uninterrupted. But while sitting there for two hours, no one chose to sit at that empty seat across from me and people passed by me without glancing their eyes in my direction. So, I can say with integrity, “It didn’t happen!”
I left the table mentioned above and headed for the elevator in the same hospital. I had a doctor’s visit. I was early, as often is the case, so I sat outside in the waiting area. People with what I call witnessing shirts, people with gold chains accessorized with crosses around their neck, and even some old soldiers of the Lord’s army, senior saints with church gear on came and they went. Still, I have to report that, “It didn’t happen!”
At the home improvement stores, it didn’t happen! At the watch repair shop, it didn’t happen! At the buffet in the cafeteria, the one dubbed by one of my own son’s as “the last stop before heaven,” it didn’t happen! At the shop where you can buy healthy food and natural remedies for the body, not things for the soul, “It didn’t happen.” At the shop where people were once afraid to be seen shopping, but now recognize that new stuff and great finds can be purchased for next to nothing, “It didn’t happen.” I know this is your Monday Short, so let me stop giving you the specifics and cure your curiosity about what didn’t happen.
Not one time – did anyone try to establish rapport to do some personal evangelism. Not one time – did anyone ask me if I attended church. Not one time – did anyone hand me a card inviting me to attend their church. Not one time, well, with the exception of the occasional greeter’s “God bless you,” did anyone act like they knew the Lord Jesus. Not one time – did anyone try to witness to me.
Well, perhaps this week will be different, and someone will come up to me, ready to be obedient to Jesus’ words in the closing verses. By the way, someone is waiting for you, yes you, to perform your duty as described in the scriptures below. To you I say, “Make it happen!” Be blessed!
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NASB)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King