Dear CCW family,
We were by the water on a lakeside vacation when I was perhaps perhaps five or six years old. The four kids were playing in the water and our parents were on the grass in those kind of beach chairs that looked like hammocks. My father had a special camera around his neck which was called a Rolleicord. It was expensive and “the best.” He really liked that camera. And he liked to develop photos himself.
All of a sudden, according to my brother, he jumped up and ran to the water with his camera still around his neck, plowing straight into the lake to rescue me from drowning. Nobody else heard my cry but him, and he did not waste a second to help me, camera and all. To me, there’s a lesson in that.
I learned that lesson again in my earliest days of serious-minded personal and public evangelism. It is one of the most important lessons in my life. Here it is: You will do anything to rescue someone you love.
My daily prayer in the prayer chapel
When I was in Seminary in Ft Worth, and was living and working in a church as a youth director a few miles away in Garland, I had the habit of getting up early to pray in a small chapel in front of the church building. I loved that small room, with its three or four short pews. This quiet spot was the place in the dark morning hours where I prayed one of the most meaningful prayers I’ve prayed. Over and over again, I asked for love for the lost to be felt and seen in me as a fruit of the Spirit who lived in me.
Continuing to pray for love as I walked through the day moved me to become much more active sharing the gospel than I had ever been. Thankfully, these desires continue even today, by God’s grace. I didn’t have much compassion at first, but as I began, motivated by that love, more came. I heard their stories, felt their pain, and was saddened by their lostness, as they wandered about “like sheep without a shepherd.” As love grew, I found the courage to speak to them. I was not as daunted by the risk I might incur, or the rejection they might present, and my pride diminished as love took over.
Eventually love will control our tongues. Many of those we encounter may not hear clearly about Christ from anyone but you. You have the message of hope for their future, for the forgiveness of their sins, and for the “center” of life that they desperately need. The more we love, the more we act for their best interest.
Looking in the eyes
There is something else helpful in sharing the good news — use your eyes. Look at the person you are talking to, look deeply, see his or her soul if you can, and hopefully you can draw him or her into looking at you. There is something powerful about the use of the eyes of a believer, which have at times been called the window of the soul. Note what Luke recorded in Acts about two Apostles encountering a lame man in the temple:
Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:3-6)
It may seem to be a small thing, but it can be a great help. As you gaze at the other person or the group, it will allow you to read their souls much better, that is, to discern their condition, their need, and their response. It will show that you are serious and sincere. And that, in turn, moves your heart to say or do what is best. Several times in the gospels, we find it recorded that Jesus looked at a person or a crowd. Why mention that detail if it were not remarkable in some way? I invite you to do that, coupled with your prayer, to be a channel of Christ’s love.
I remember one day at a hamburger place that I noticed a woman by herself in a pensive and troubled mood. As I looked, I felt compassion for her to the extent that I rose and went to her table, something that I would not normally think was acceptable. I said something simple, like, “I hope you do not mind, but I have a relationship with Christ and wondered if I may talk with you.” She was interested and listened closely. She was noticeably intrigued and attentive, showing an undercurrent of emotion. I left to go back to my seat as she left the restaurant, but a few minutes later as I passed by her car on the way to mine, I saw her crying (if not weeping), draped over her steering wheel. It appeared that my words met her need. Looking was involved in all of that, and the prayers for love to flow out of me for others. I have not forgotten it, and I doubt that she has. I have had this kind of experience often, thanks to God answering prayer. I do hope these encouragements help you sow the seed of the gospel. Let me know what you experience!
CCW Happenings
Marco Scouvert, our newest communicator, will fly to South Africa by the time you receive this, and return in the middle of March. First, he will work out dispensing various possessions of theirs. Second, he will personally say goodbye to different groups and individuals, speak several times evangelistically, and lead an evangelistic seminar and Bible Intensive at local churches. We are hopeful that Marco and Laura can take several trips to Africa in the years ahead to “strengthen the brothers.” Steve and family will have ministry in Tennessee and Ohio and a family vacation in the next couple of months. Pam and I just returned form Shreveport, where we had a wonderful time of ministry, both teaching and leading a Bible Intensive. We were also able to see several friends going and coming. Steve is working on the finishing touches to a book about the public reading of Scripture. I wish to make two new editions of our books soon and have other projects waiting. I will also lead a five week Muller Center series of inductive studies here in KC before leaving again. Thanks for your prayers.
Yours with joy,
Jim Elliff, Steve Burchett and Marco Scouvert