Yesterday, Wednesday, December 5, 2007 nine lives ended at a shopping mall only 45 minutes away from where we live. Eight of the people killed were either innocent shoppers or employees ranging from ages 24 to 66. The ninth in the body count was the 19 year old gunman.
Wow. Eight innocent lives taken from loved ones in literally a heart beat. Gone forever. No time to make a last phone call, no time to ask for forgiveness for a wrong they might have done. No time to tell someone they love them just one more time. No time left. No heart beat left. No breath left. Not one of those people woke up yesterday morning knowing they'd meet death before the sun set and yet before rush hour their bodies were lifeless.
Made me think about being ready & prepared to meet Jesus. Made me think of sharing about Jesus so others will be prepared too. Those 8 lives standing in customer service-did they know about Jesus? Had they accepted Him into their lives? Did anyone even ever share with them about the life-changing relationship they could have with Jesus Christ?
I'm an independent consultant for BeautiControl & one thing my Director encourages us to do is tell at least 3 people a day about BeautiControl. Three people a day that I'm supposed to have the boldness to share with them about the products I believe would be good for them. I'm supposed to "look" for opportunities to share BeautiControl with them. What if I took that same approach with Jesus? What if I looked for opportunities to share my faith? What if 3 people a day went home different because I had the boldness to tell them about what I believe in and know would be good for them?
As believers, it's not our role to save a person-only Jesus can do that, but it is our responsibility to share with others about Jesus Christ. Webster's dictionary says that responsibility is: having important duties.
We have an important duty to share with others the gift of eternal life that God offers, for as James reminds us, we don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. May just be that God's Palm Pilot doesn't match up with ours so we must be prepared. I hope that all 8 of those victims knew Jesus. I hope that what the enemy means for evil, God's glory will shine bright. On the news this morning they announced a prayer vigil that was scheduled for this afternoon and I thought, how awesome...someone was bold enough to say...in the midst of this storm we need God.
I just had to share what's on my heart. Here in Nebraska, The Good Life, as our state sign claims, we read about these tragedies, we see them on CNN, but we don't actually live them out, not until yesterday, December 5th. To close too home for this mom of two mall shopping teens. To close to home for this believer who has unbelieving friends and family members.
2 comments:
What a sombering moment when I heard of the tragedies yesterday. Definitely made me think also of how precious our lives are and of how prepared I would be to be taken so quickly. I to have a passion to help others to learn about and to know Jesus Christ and I love your idea of telling 3 people every day about him. I work in sales and I am very very good about telling EVERYONE about my work and what I do and how great it is and blah blah blah....but what if I turned all that energy and talk into something that REALLY mattered!! Think of the blessings that would reap. May God bless and have mercy on the all those lives taken yesterday and also on all of those left behind to miss them. I feel extremely blessed to sitting here in my very warm home with my beautiful children and grandchild all safe and sound and happy and ALIVE. God is great and life is Good!!
Your friend in Christ,
Robin
Wow Lelia! My friend Jodi told me to check out your blog. I'm glad I did. Your Blog 12/6/2007 entry was more powerful than any homily I heard in Church. Thank you for sharing. I will share with more than 3 people!
Continue to spread the Word.
Peace and Love,
Liza in California
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