Have you ever heard the saying, “Witness all the time and if necessary use words”? Well I saw that saying lived through my husband and I want to share the story with you. He was out in the parking lot at our church when a man came by that needed some help. This man had come upon very hard times like so many in this economy. He had lost his job a while back and had no source of income. He had no means of transportation other than walking and he was hungry. He hadn’t had food in a few days and he was asking for some help. It was a brisk cold fall day and this man had been walking the streets in a worn thin t-shirt and pants. My husband asked him if he owned a jacket and he answered “no.”Without hesitating, my husband took off his nice warm jacket and put it around the man’s shoulders, giving it to him. He then gave the man a ride and got him some groceries. This poor man was overwhelmed by the kindness that had been shown to him. And I experienced a mighty powerful message preached without any words being used.
Since then, they’ve built a friendship and this man has been coming to church. You see sometimes it’s necessary to witness through our actions first and then with our words. The Bible calls us to love with word and deed. Philippians 2:4 says “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others.” It’s easier to say “I’ll be praying for you” or “Don’t worry, God will provide” than it is to act – to take the coat off of your back to offer to someone in need or maybe to give sacrificially instead of out of our plenty. In Matthew 25 Jesus has something to say about helping someone, giving food to the hungry or the poor, visiting the sick or those in prison; He says “whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.” The flip-side of that is in verse 45 where Jesus says,”…whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” Powerful, convicting words!
Audio Adrenaline has a great song – Hands and Feet that talks about being the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need, to the “least of these.” Let’s be careful that we don’t get so caught up in our own pursuits or get so busy in our church ministry that we overlook the poor and needy that God puts in our path. Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the ones He wants you to see and reach out to –“the least of these” as unto Jesus. You will be blessed, they will be blessed and those watching will see a mighty powerful sermon preached without using any words.
Make the most of your journey!
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This goes along with the old adage, “I complained because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet”.