Tonight I played a video provided by the International Mission Board as an aid to pastors like me when we are trying to inform and encourage our congregations to give to the Lottie Moon Christmas offering for missions.
This year's focus is on Eastern Europe. One of the people whose lives are spotlighted this year is a Russian named Genady who lives in Moscow. This is his story.
When I previewed it in my office I wasn't prepared for the effect it would have on me. Seeing the man unashamedly cry while admitting that he had no way to verbalize what God had done in his heart, really moved me. In so many cases here in America, we don't see the emotional response to the taking away of sin as a repentant heart meets a loving Savior.
What we get is a reaction like being asked to join the Rotary or the loyal Order of Elks.
Makes me wonder if we are preaching the same gospel. I believe I am. But maybe our culture has been on such an "I'm okay, you're okay" run that people have come to the opinion that God would do well to have them join His organization.
But when I watched Genady, I remembered what I felt that night when I surrendered to Christ and how great it has been to see people since then come to Him too. I read the last part of John to the folks tonight. You know, the part right after the woman at the well?
Jesus is sitting there talking to the woman and the disciples come back and can't figure out what's going on. I mean what's the rabbi doing sitting there with a woman - a Samaritan woman? "Do you want something to eat Jesus?" they ask. "No, I'm good" he replies. "What? Did you pick something up while we were gone?"
"Yeah, I got filled up."
They didn't get it. Most of us don't.
But see to Jesus, talking about the father's love for lost people is better than fried chicken and sweet tea. He'd rather miss a meal than ever miss a person. Cause He knew what really matters in this life is how many people you are going to bring with you into the next.
I'd forgotten just how good that kind of food tastes.
Thank you Lord for letting me see Genady's testimony.
We're going to baptize Sunday. I can't wait!
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