Speak the Word of God With Boldness
.
Acts 4:23-31
23. When they [Peter and John] were released they went to their friends and reported what the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24. And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who didst make the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25. who by the mouth of our father David, thy servant, didst say by the Holy Spirit, `Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples imagine vain things? 26. The kings of the earth set themselves in array, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed' -- 27. for truly in this city there were gathered together against thy holy servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28. to do whatever thy hand and thy plan had predestined to take place. 29. And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, 30. while thou stretchest out thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of thy holy servant Jesus." 31. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.
Are you bold in declaring your faith? Really bold? I often claim to be. And I can give a pretty stirring speech, write a powerful poem or narrative about my faith. I can even speak to other Christians and non-believers about how my faith sustains me. I feel very strongly about what constitutes Christian behavior. Of course, I do all this in the context of the rhetorical “we.” I speak through the voice of “us” as Christians. I can sit for hours and watch the news and “prime-time” television shows and point out all the un-Christian actions, productions, and messages pumped out over the airwaves with great facility.
Having said all that: This Christmas is the first time I actually asked to receive an Icthus (fish with cross) to put on my car! That’s because when I’m in my car I am often the most un-Christian of any other time in my life! I curse at rude drivers, and swear at the pokey ones. I’ve been known to intentionally not let someone over because I felt they had been “stupid” to wait until the last minute to get over when arrows directing them to merge left have been flashing for over a mile. Oh yes, it’s bad! You may be thinking that doesn’t really count, because I’m by myself, in the car, and nobody can hear me and only the “idiot” in the offending vehicle bears the brunt of my annoyance.
There, I’ve admitted it! “They” say that admitting your sin is the first step toward correcting it! I must say that I have been more conscious of my behavior since I’ve installed the Icthus on my car. But more important than my behavior is my state of mind. I have had to intentionally stop myself and rather than curse a fellow traveler, offer a blessing for them. Rather than cut someone off or slow way down when they tailgate me, I let them have their way--and lift a prayer for them.
That attitude has begun to carry over to the other areas of my life, too. I’ve begun to pray for clients who come in for counseling at my job, and for the counselors. And then I pray for myself-for the words I say to offer them comfort and peace. And when I stop at the store on the way home, I try to put myself in an attitude of prayer for those I pass in the aisle, the employees and everyone else in the store. It doesn’t always go as planned -- some evenings I’m really beat and then I just want to get in and get out. But I am making a concerted effort.
Are you bold in declaring your faith? It starts in our hearts and in our minds. We must change those before we can expect to influence anyone else.
My prayer today is that you speak words of peace and healing to everyone you meet, pass by, and come in contact with. And that you boldly declare your faith with every syllable, phrase and sentence you utter.
Mary
