An Opportunity Missed

I was at a restaurant yesterday. I witnessed to my waitress, listened to her witness and some of her life concerns, gave a bit of advice from a man twice her age with a few more miles on his odometer, invited her to my church, and gave her a Bible: it was all very well received.

I've been there fairly often on the patio because of the great weather, drinking iced tea and taking in the sun: as I got up to leave, she said, "see you next week?" I said, "don't know - you'll see me when you see me."

When I got in my car, I thought so strongly, I should have finished with: " ... I must be about my Father's business." What a missed opportunity to say something so powerful!! To leave her as the last thing in her mind about me as I walked away and drove off a man going about his Lord and Savior's business!

But can I truly say that in full honesty and absolute truth? Am I at all and in any way Christlike enough, even so in my whole being, to be able to do that in good conscience? For with those powerful words come deep commitment and fearsome responsibility, lest I be a hypocrite and risk my Father's wrath: I cannot be a false example for others, I cannot wield words of such power unless backed up by all I am and all I do, not just what I say.

If not, I *must* not, but I must also prayerfully and fervently work on that to make that totally and completely true so the next time I have that special opportunity, as I part, I can say those wonderful words, Spirit filled, in power and truth, echoing the young Jesus in the Temple to His parents, that Jesus who is my ultimate hero: Christlikeness being my central goal for me, saving souls my primary purpose for others; indeed, the only reason God has left me here this long (for I am already saved).

All the above to God's glory, the Spirit the actor, me just His hands and feet and mouth, in abject humility, worship, and thankfulness: nothing more, nothing less: "Here am I, Lord. Do with me as you will." Do I dare say that? Do you?