. . . . meanwhile, praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Colossians 4:3-6)
Paul writes as he himself is imprisoned in Rome. Yet even in these trying circumstances, he is not whining over his situation, but praying for a way to share the Gospel right where he is. Paul encourages us today that we are not to be so quick to judge those who do not know Christ. In order to "redeem the time", we need to patient with the non-believer and understand their culture, their experience, even their current condition. While we cannot and should not try to understand everyone's experience in life, we are to be compassionate and empathetic. We simply have to be genuine in our caring!
As we pray for wisdom and guidance, it is important to realize the need to be yoked with the Holy Spirit. As we go, we listen, we engage, we feel. The Spirit of God will give us words to say if we allow Him to control our hearts and minds. Sharing the Gospel is not a script but an act of love and kindness. It is not a means to collect bodies. It is an act of compassion for our brother and sister to care for their eternal life.
Someone once cared enough to "show me Jesus". I saw Him in their eyes. I heard Him in their words. I felt Him their heart and mine.
Do we care enough to share?
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