Finding Joy in Unexpected Opportunities to Share God's Love in Jesus

Kathy and I are now home from 3 weeks of traveling in Germany and Europe. Though we did visit various places we had not previously been, our main reason for travel was so that I could serve with Wittenberg English Ministry. This pan-Lutheran ministry primarily offers worship services in the English language for those traveling to this historic Lutheran city. I led 7 worship services in churches where Luther preached. And, I was available for pastoral care if needed.

However, what I did not expect as I served WEM, were the opportunities for personal witness concerning Jesus, opportunities above and beyond the public proclamation in worship. Time and again Kathy and I encountered people who willingly shared with us their struggle with the Christian faith. Also surprising to us, almost all these people were willing to discuss matters of the Lordship of God and of salvation. They were willing to engage in conversation without being defensive, or rude. We tried to listen and to talk from our heart about the faith God has created in us. But, unlike such opportunities in America, people who shared their doubts with us were also willing to listen to our thoughts. We were continually surprised.

On Wednesday morning, November 6, at breakfast in Munich, a middle-aged woman saw me reading my devotional bible. This lady walked over to my table and asked me about the Bible. She shared that she was interested as a retired middle school history teacher. (Grades levels are different in Germany.) We talked about teaching. Our daughter, Mary, was traveling with us. She talked history. She specialized in studies of the holocaust. I shared my bottom line. “God has created all of us. But, we humans have rebelled and sinned in horrible ways. We need a Savior. I believe God sent Jesus!” We parted as she went about her morning chores.

Two German men spoke with us on separate occasions about their personal doubts concerning God and Christian faith. One many had a sincere conversation with Kathy. Another spoke with me. What these two men had in common is that they spent much of their lives in communist East Germany. One told me, “I am a member of the Socialist Party.” Both had learned to doubt the church and trust the state. Both also saw the travesties of human beings against one another, and the failings of Christ’s Church. With the man I talked to, I simply said, “Yes, this world is a mess. That is why God sent Jesus.”

Another delightful encounter happened at an evening meal on October 30. We had been told of one restaurant, “The food is good, but the people are weird!” Well we went, and the food was good. There were also a lot of people, primarily men, drinking beer and talking loudly. One of those men saw Kathy and Mary and me at our table finishing our meal. He came over to visit. I know only a little German. This man knew less English. (There is a wonderful “Google Translate” app which I often used.) However, as I tried to explain in my less than stellar German why we were in Wittenberg, we somehow mentioned fishing. Well, I got out my phone and started showing pictures of salmon, and pictures of halibut, and pictures of trout, and pictures of bass. You get the idea. This man had a phone too, and he also had fish pictures. Many of my pictures include Mary, who often fishes with me. We talked for about a half hour sharing fish pictures, even though our language skills were wanting. But, I was able to share that I was in Wittenberg to serve with Wittenberg English Ministry, to lead worship and provide pastoral care. He was not offended, but seemed impressed that a fisherman would be serving the Lord. I believe there was a witness in this exchange, and I really enjoyed our conversation, or lack of it.

A Scripture verse which often directs my witnessing to Jesus is 1 Peter 3:15. “ . . . but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” In other words, witnessing is often a personal sharing of God’s love in our lives, love which gives hope. My reason for hope is Jesus. His death on the cross for my sins, and His resurrection defeating death and winning eternal life for his disciples forgive me and save me. Jesus is the one who strengthens me in life’s trials and delivers me to eternal life in heaven. I believe I am prepared to share this hope, because I have experienced God’s love and forgiveness in my life.

However, this Sunday, the Second Last Sunday of the Church year, we will read in in worship from Mark 13, “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” (Mark 13:11). This verse says to me that witnessing concerning Jesus is not just my preparation. The Holy Spirit lives in me. God’s Spirit prepares me. The Spirit leads me into situations where people may ask, and I can hare Jesus.

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy sharing good news with others. The best Good News I know is that Jesus, the Son of God, died and rose to save me. Do you enjoy sharing Jesus with others?