For thought and meditation

[rl69]

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few."—Matthew 9:36–37 (http://harvest.us3.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=4f108f827aed8d503b5fca9fa&id=7138fa04ce&e=3dd732485b)As a teenager, I would hang around a place in Newport Beach called the Balboa Fun Zone. I would lean up against a wall, hair hanging in my eyes (use your imagination there), looking real tough. Christians who walked around and handed out their tracts didn't know what to make of me. They would thrust a pamphlet in my direction and then back off. But in my heart I was saying, "Talk to me. Don't be put off by my tough-guy façade. It is false. I am too proud to say that I need help. I am too proud to say, 'Tell me about Jesus.' "

I wanted someone to engage me. I would take the little tracts the Christians gave me and stuff them in my pocket, but never in the trash. I took everything that everyone gave me, everywhere. I had a drawer for all kinds of religious literature at home, and every now and then, I would pull it out, empty it on my bed, and try to sort through it. I had literature from Christians, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Hare Krishnas, and more. You name it, I had it. I would look at this stuff and wonder what it all meant. I was looking for someone to show me the way.

Most Christians who have a basic knowledge of the faith could have easily explained the gospel to someone like me. And there is a world full of people out there who are just like I was, waiting for someone to take a risk. They are waiting for someone like you to say, "I will go ahead and give it a go." The worst-case scenario is they will say no. But what if they say yes?

[Pine Baron]

You're right rl. Time to get out there. Time is short.

[Blackwater]

Great post, again, RL. So many put up a facade that is tough, but that's just to cover up and try to hide how weak and needy they really are. We can't really fool ourselves. We all know who and what we are, and what we really want, but especially with the cynicism and haughtiness that pervades our world today, many are more afraid of "looking bad" or looking "weak," that they throw up facades to "go along to get along" in the environment they live in. A lot of gangs depend on this, and their strong-arm tactics to keep their ranks filled.

But everyone is human, and even the "toughest" out there may be susceptible to the Word, if only they're approached humbly, unafraid and very forthrightly. Just don't try around their peers, for then, they'll likely just "show off" for those around them, but get them off on a one-to-one basis, and you may be surprised at what happens. You may not, but you might.

And the best tactic I've found is to ask very direct and un-PC questions, like "Why do you do what you do when there's a better and more satisfying way of life available to you?" This one seems to always put them on the defensive, and when they're in a defensive mode, it's a de facto sign that they know their weakness. Just deal with them with respect and gentle but firm and very honest manner, and it's surprising how little a fight they put up.

But of course, one can't be stupid. One must have the faith that they'll not hurt us in that one-on-one situation. There ARE those out there who might, and Christ never intended for us to be stupid enough to disregard that! But wherever and whenever that doesn't appear to be a problem, it's amazing how some respond to simple, confident and unafraid Truth. That's the power that Truth just naturally has.