Mediocre Moment

Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God....So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall.... This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.   Acts 19:8-10

What an example Paul is to all believers!  What a slacker I have been!  I have lived in my neighborhood for 2 1/2 years and I have not shared the gospel with anywhere near the number of people that Paul did during his two years of ministry in this area of Asia.  How much longer will I continue living a mediocre christian life for Christ?!  How long will I live in the comfort of my suburban home before I am convicted beyond all complacency to "go forth and make disciples" of those living in my circle of accountability?  Do i know if my neighbors are saved?  I'm pretty sure they're not.  How can I know?  Love them, love them some more, and then ask.  Push the conversations past talking about the weather and ask them about their spiritual backgrround.  INVEST IN THEM! 

I've noticed getting more and more pulled into to a christian bubble.  Not intentionally.  The demands of ministry with family and church occupy the majority of my time.  However, having coffee with a neighbor the other day and not knowing where she stands spiritually encouraged me that I do have time!  And then, my time in the Word today reading about Paul, has reminded me that I am not doing enough for the kingdom and for God's glory. 

I am praying big, asking God for mounds of opportunities to get to know my neighbors and move our conversations to a point where I share the story of His Son with them.  I want to be living for something beyond this lifetime, beyond this world.  A cause that trasncends time and space and this lifetime.  I want to be used by my Creator to do the things which He has created me to do!  He commands us all to "go forth and make disciples of all nations...."  I do not believe I have been obeying Him in this area of my spiritual life lately.  But I am inspired to change that!  And it starts tomorrow!  -Getting intentional.

Thank you Lord for using the words of Paul to motivate me to get missional on my street, my section of the neighborhood, and in my neighborhood as a whole.  Lord, homeschooling the kids doesn't leave me a whole lot of free time, but I am trusting that you would multiply my time so that I have pockets of opportunities to connet with ladies and just love on them and, if it's Your will, to share the gospel of Your Son, Jesus, with them.  I'm praying BIG God!  I'm asking to have 25 opportunities to share the gospel with women in my neighborhood over this school year.  Bring me 25 women with whom I can talk to about the life changing reality of Jesus Christ in order to give them the choice to accept you or reject you.  25 opportunities to share hope and assurance of salvation my neighbors.  Go ahead of me and bless those conversations, Lord.  Prepare the hearts of those women I talk to whom are lost and desperately searching for such a hope as only You can give.  Make my words clear and Your scripture flow from my mouth.  Paint a picture of your forgiveness and grace through me as only You can do.  I want to see You work, Lord!  I want to see life change!  Use me to carry out this mission of seeing every man, woman, and child hear the gospel!  Only through the power of Your very own Son, Jesus.  Amen.