Celebrate a Witness – Chris Edwards

Today’s scripture: Deuteronomy 6:6-9 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?

My thoughts (Chris Edwards):

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as front lets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (ESV Deut. 6:6-9)

In this text Moses is giving a speech to a dying generation who had encountered God in some powerful ways. Nearly 40 years ago they had been freed from slavery by the most powerful nation in the world. They watched as the power of God split the sea in two to let them pass, only to watch it crash down on those that pursued them. These same people had been led around the wilderness by a pillar of clouds and flames. For 40 years they had eaten nothing but the manna that miraculously appeared each morning and drank the water that spewed from a rock. They knew God in a special way and now Moses was encouraging them to witness to their children. The next generation needed to understand what they had not seen themselves.

The evangelical command to “go” and tell “all nations” is often looked at as a burden. We tell ourselves that we have not received the gift of evangelism, so that command must be for someone who has, not us. Evangelism is not about some slick way of presenting the gospel, but simply sharing what you have experienced with others. Our next generation, be that our children, or the future of our church are prime examples of people that need to hear our stories.

As Moses once encouraged the Israelites, who had seen God move in a powerful way, to share their story with the next generation, I now encourage you to do the same. LifeJourney you have witnessed a great movement of God. When many of you joined this church there were few open churches in existence.  LifeJourney was a church of refuge. Today we are surrounded by churches that are celebrating diversity. Many churches marched with us in the pride parade. Some traditionally conservative denominations are becoming open and affirming, and others are in the early stages of debate. So, talk about these things as you sit in your house, as you walk and drive around, when you wake up, and when you lie down to sleep. Celebrate them in writing and make reminders that you place around your home. This next generation needs to understand what we did not see ourselves.

Thought for the day: May God bless your lips as you share, and bless the ears of those that listen so they may truly have ears to hear.

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.