Planting Seeds

It has been amazing to see how God has used me to minister to the children here at Bethesda. In this past week alone I have had numerous opportunities to share Christ with the kids.

In Grade 4-7 the teachers have had the children and different Bethesda staff share their testimonies. As I was waiting to tutor my girl, one of the boys asked me to share my testimony. It was wonderful to share my story of how I came to know Christ and how my life has been changed. Oh my goodness, these kids had questions galore. I think I was up there for at least another 10 minutes or so. Praise the Lord! :D

I also had the opportunity to share Christ with the girl I tutor. It all started with a conflict with another child. We talked about how we need to love others even if they are not our friends, because that is what Jesus told us to do. By the end of the conversation she told me she couldn’t hear Jesus knocking on her heart. I didn’t quite know what to respond to that statement, but I did my best. Oh how I pray I was able to plant some seeds that day.
I just finished Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne (great book by the way!) He had a section on sharing the gospel of Christ. Here are two quotes from his book.

“In a distracting, violent, and tempting world, keep sowing the seed of love. Sow it everywhere, even when Herod cuts it down, and even when the world’s riches try to choke it. You never know when it will spring up and make great fruit!”

“Jesus’ revolutionary patience claimed that another kingdom is coming – one that you can participate in but not build, a seed you can plant and water but cannot make grow. You can’t drag the kingdom of God into the world. But you can’t stop sowing the seeds either. Sow them everywhere!”

Sharing Christ and the gospel is so important! I’ve struggled with evangelizing for a long time, because of the bad reputation it has received in our society. This past summer, I realized that I hid behind this belief – using it as an excuse not to share my faith. That realization hit me hard. I was ashamed by my lack of courage and faith. Now God has shown me how important it is to share my faith and has given me opportunities to do so.

Yesterday, the school principle asked me to lead devotions at the next school assembly. I didn’t know how to respond at first. I’m not the biggest fan of speaking in front of people. I perspire – my body shakes – and I fumble over my words. Despite these things, God still uses me and on the 19th of November I am leading devotions. God is definitely stretching and using me in Africa. Praise the Lord!