| Write a Letter
Dear Brother or Sister, I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand (1 Corinthians 16:21). This past January, one of my good friends and fellow laborers in the gospel went to be with the Lord rather suddenly. Dan was only 51 and we had served together as elders for the past 17 years. He was in a coma during his last week. Many of his friends and family gathered in a vigil in the ICU waiting room. But one night after almost everyone had left, I was in his room talking to the nurse, Brian. Because of all Dan's visitors, Brian brought up the topic of Dan's faith. We spent several minutes talking about spiritual things and who Jesus is. In this trial, God had opened a door for the message. The next night another nurse was on duty and I did not see Brian again. But the conversation stayed on my mind. What was I to do? Often the Lord will give us a chance to speak with someone that we do not know well. We were able to speak about Jesus to the person. But we will probably not see them again. Perhaps God opened a door to speak of him to your doctor, or to a neighbor you don't see often, or to an old friend who lives far from you. What are you to do with that conversation? If the Lord gives you an open door, consider following up with a handwritten note. In our hurried world a handwritten note communicates personal care and concern. It is an expensive gift to give someone. Tell the person how much you enjoyed the conversation. If you were unclear or there was something more you wanted to say, tell them that as well. Send a pamphlet, book or New Testament as a gift. And direct them to a website for more spiritual information. A few weeks later I decided to write Brian a letter thanking him for his care of Dan and for our conversation. I told him I had not been able to explain everything clearly that night, but I was enclosing a pamphlet and a New Testament for him to use in seeking God. When the Lord gives you an opportunity to speak of him, ask him if there is a way to take the conversation one step further. A handwritten note may be just the way. Learning with you, ChapBack |  |
