Be Bold for God

"Take a seat please, in the lobby area, and we will call you when your car is ready," the lady at the counter told me with not even a glance in my direction.

She busied herself and nonchalantly worked her way through a small stack of papers in front of her. I was just the norm for her, another customer waiting on my car's oil change. I selected a seat in the lobby area as I noticed the other patrons in the room. Each one was manipulating either a smartphone, iPad, or laptop, completely oblivious of their surroundings. Not one person looked up to say hello, acknowledge me, or anyone else in that room. As I sat, I was lulled by the rhythmic text clicking sounds and the faint tapping of keyboard keys while I sipped my lukewarm coffee from a styrofoam cup.

As I sat in this room that had been kidnapped by technology, I felt an overwhelming sadness. What has happened to good old-fashioned communication, friendly conversation, and exchanging pleasantries? Where is the goodwill of days gone by? When was the last time we met someone new or took an interest in someone's life? Why does actually having a real conversation have to be a thing of the past? Why must we be so busy staring into the glass screens of electronic gadgets that we cannot even utter a "hello" or inquire how someone is?

Are we so numb these days that we do not even care about others or has society made it completely acceptable to just keep to ourselves and mind our own business?

We, as Christians, are called to be an example in this world where outreach is a thing of the past. We are called to break through the barriers of computer screens and be a voice — a real human voice — that can be a light of compassion and a word of encouragement that is so scarce today.

We are to be bold for The Lord and bring the good news of salvation. We are to be His mouthpiece on earth and an example of His Goodness.

Acts 28:31 says that we should be proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

The Bible tells us that as Christians we are to be a mirror image of God, a reflection of his joy, peace, and love everywhere we go. We may be the only chance a person seated near us will ever get to hear about how much God loves them.

We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

We should never miss an opportunity to spread the good news of Jesus. Go Into all the world the Bible says! We, as Christians, often think this refers to missionaries preaching in remote parts of the world and ministering to those in the secluded far corners of the earth.

While that is extremely important, the person seated next to us in a lobby on a Wednesday afternoon is every bit as important to God. It's no accident when we are seated near a certain person on a particular day. We all have divine appointments set up in advance by God.

I challenge you and myself to live in boldness for God. Before leaving our houses, let's ask Him to put someone in our paths today that needs to hear an encouraging word of hope. Be a blessing wherever we go and we will be the ones who are blessed.

Copyright © 2014 by Nina Keegan. Used by permission.