The Mystery: Revealed

        I remember this first time I shared my faith with someone I was totally caught off guard by the opportunity, but somehow fumbled my way through it like most people do their first kiss. I think my heart was pounding just as hard. I was around 11 years old and just finished riding my bike and decided to do what most 11 year old boys do, I climbed a tree. I was alone for a few minutes when some other teen boy rode by and was inspired by my tree climbing skills that he joined me in this large tree. I forgot what we initially started talking (probably transformers vs. go-bots) and somehow our conversation ventured into God stuff.  Now you have to understand that I was a shy kid, especially about faith stuff, but some reason God still choose to use me. I remember as if it were a movie clip. I nervously asked him if he wanted to pray to receive Christ. I was shocked that I asked him, but even more shocked that he said yes. I didn’t know what to do next. So I tried to find something that looked like an altar that you could kneel at (that seemed like the churchy thing to do), so we biked around the neighborhood and found a pile of dirt. Close enough. We prayed, smiled at each other and then he went on his way. I went home to tell my mom. That day opportunity knocked.

        Fast forward 5 years of rebellion, 3 parental divorces, and 6 address changes I found myself as a recently rededicated follower of Christ sitting in a World History class in 11^th grade. I was casually talking with one of my friends about my youth group when a few students nearby asked what we were talking about. I remember getting just as nervous as when I was in the climbing tree, but I talked about why I went to church, why Christ died, and why I made the recent changes in my life. I thought I presented a clear message but when I asked if they wanted prayer or to get some more info about Christianity they politely said, “No, but thanks for answering our questions.” At first I felt like I failed and was devastated. But later I understood that if people had the freedom to accept Christ, then they also have the freedom to reject Him. I often wished I had said it smoother, perhaps differently, or with a flannel board that the message would have been received differently. But in hindsight, my words were seeds that may be harvested at another time, with another person – perhaps in a climbing tree.

         Paul had this same desire to communicate the message of Christ clearly.

 Colossians 4:2-4  “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

             Paul gives us some advice when it comes to communicating the message of Christ. In v2 he reminds us to stay connected to God which will help us to stay awake and vigilant of what we really need to focus on and be thankful for- a God centered perspective. I wish I could say that I jumped so willingly at every opportunity, but I admit to have knowingly missed some opportunities. I am sure even Paul did. That is where God’s grace is evident – for the one who missed the opportunity to talk and the one who missed the opportunity to listen.

            I want to encourage you to continue to be watchful – much like in the words of Paul. And when God opens the next door in front of us, or perhaps up in a tree, I pray we act graciously and soberly.