Dr. Bob Brown, Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Dandridge, Tennessee recently gave a devotional thought before a gathering of the members of the Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board, of which he serves as Chairman. He told the story about a day in the life of his family that unfolded several years earlier.
They were at a church picnic that was being held at a public park. When the day was over and it was time to gather their belongings and head for home, he and his wife discovered that his son was missing. Needless to say, they immediately began searching for him. Increasingly, with each passing moment, there arose within them that alarming feeling of anxiety that every parent knows in just such a situation.
Eventually, Bob's search led into the shed that contained the men’s restroom. At first glance, all looked clear. Then, he happened to notice that a small latch atop one of the doors was fastened. He opened the latch along with the door; whereupon, with great relief, he saw his young son staring up at him. Apparently, another young boy had latched the door shut as a prank.
Though greatly relieved, Bob could not help but ask why his son had not cried out for someone to help him. His reply was simple and straightforward: “Awe, Dad, I knew you’d come for me!” Arm in arm, they walked out together laughing.
Then came Bob’s piercing question. As Christians, we find ourselves in a world full of people who are lost, confused, and in effect, trapped in a cesspool of sin and degradation. The real questions are these: “Do they know that we are coming for them? Do they know that we care? For that matter, do they even know that we are aware of their plight?”
Like many there at that meeting, I was convicted by his questions. I was reminded that, in Romans 10:14, the Apostle Paul asks some similarly piercing questions: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
I was also reminded that, on a daily basis, I cross paths with people who are in need of a touch from God. Some of these individuals know they are in need; others do not. But whether they are aware of their need for God or not, it is my responsibility as a Christian to be God’s representative to them.
For as the Apostle Paul says, I am one of Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) and I have been charged with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). If you are a Christian, the same is true for you.
So, whose path will you and/or I cross this week? Are they in need? Do they know we care? Will we do our part in helping to meet their need? Will we be Christ’s representatives to them? Of course, only we can answer these questions. What matters is how we decide to do so.
NOTE: More information about Dr. Brown can be found at: http://fbcdt.org/homepage/index.php/about-us/meet-our-staff/dr-bob-brown-senior-pastor.
They were at a church picnic that was being held at a public park. When the day was over and it was time to gather their belongings and head for home, he and his wife discovered that his son was missing. Needless to say, they immediately began searching for him. Increasingly, with each passing moment, there arose within them that alarming feeling of anxiety that every parent knows in just such a situation.
Eventually, Bob's search led into the shed that contained the men’s restroom. At first glance, all looked clear. Then, he happened to notice that a small latch atop one of the doors was fastened. He opened the latch along with the door; whereupon, with great relief, he saw his young son staring up at him. Apparently, another young boy had latched the door shut as a prank.
Though greatly relieved, Bob could not help but ask why his son had not cried out for someone to help him. His reply was simple and straightforward: “Awe, Dad, I knew you’d come for me!” Arm in arm, they walked out together laughing.
Then came Bob’s piercing question. As Christians, we find ourselves in a world full of people who are lost, confused, and in effect, trapped in a cesspool of sin and degradation. The real questions are these: “Do they know that we are coming for them? Do they know that we care? For that matter, do they even know that we are aware of their plight?”
Like many there at that meeting, I was convicted by his questions. I was reminded that, in Romans 10:14, the Apostle Paul asks some similarly piercing questions: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
I was also reminded that, on a daily basis, I cross paths with people who are in need of a touch from God. Some of these individuals know they are in need; others do not. But whether they are aware of their need for God or not, it is my responsibility as a Christian to be God’s representative to them.
For as the Apostle Paul says, I am one of Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) and I have been charged with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). If you are a Christian, the same is true for you.
So, whose path will you and/or I cross this week? Are they in need? Do they know we care? Will we do our part in helping to meet their need? Will we be Christ’s representatives to them? Of course, only we can answer these questions. What matters is how we decide to do so.
NOTE: More information about Dr. Brown can be found at: http://fbcdt.org/homepage/index.php/about-us/meet-our-staff/dr-bob-brown-senior-pastor.