Sharing Hope

I’ll never forget one beautiful spring Sunday morning as a kid in my hometown of New Smyrna Beach. We were in the car heading over to the beach from the mainland. Just as we were about to make the turn over the bridge, I noticed a small group of people standing on the corner. These folks were holding large cardboard signs with big bold letters that read, “Turn or Burn.” There were Bible verses clearly written underneath, and these people were not smiling.

I remember asking my mom if there was some rule in the Bible about not going to the beach on Sunday. I think she something humorous along the lines of, “Come on, really? Is sunburn divine punishment for Sunday beach-going?” But I’ll never forget those cardboard signs and the scowling look of the people who held them. I wonder how many people were turned off to the Good News of Jesus Christ that day.

When we look at the world around us, many people are spiritually open. Many people are hurting. Many people are seeking something more, something deeper in life. And the truth is, people of faith have been entrusted with a beautiful message – a message of redemption, of love, and forgiveness. We have been given a path of hope. But how we share that hope makes all the difference.

Many years ago, I heard a speaker say, “You can’t lead people if you don’t love people. You can’t save people if you don’t serve people. The question is, do you love people, and are you willing to serve them?”

Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you for unconditional, undying love for us. We praise you for your mercy and your grace. Be near to those who need you at this moment. Help each of us to live our lives in such a way that we would be instruments of your love and grace; through Jesus Christ. Amen.