Where Have You Been?
 

Where Have You Been? by Randy Kilgore

How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? —Romans 10:14

Missionary Egerton Ryerson Young served the Salteaux tribe in Canada in the 1700s. The chief of the tribe thanked Young for bringing the good news of Christ to them, noting that he was hearing it for the first time in his old age. Since he knew that God was Young’s heavenly Father, the chief asked, “Does that mean He is my Father too?” When the missionary answered, “Yes,” the crowd that had gathered around burst into cheers.

The chief was not finished, however. “Well,” said the chief, “I do not want to be rude, but it does seem to me . . . that it took a long time for you to . . . tell it to your brother in the woods.” It was a remark that Young never forgot.

Many times I’ve been frustrated by the zigs and zags of my life, thinking of the people I could reach if only. Then God reminds me to look around right where I am, and I discover many who have never heard of Jesus. In that moment, I’m reminded that I have a story to tell wherever I go, “for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ ” (Rom. 10:12-13).

Remember, we don’t have just any story to tell—it’s the best story that has ever been told.
I love to tell the story,
For some have never heard
The message of salvation
From God’s own holy Word. —Hankey

Sharing the good news is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.

Insight
In Romans 9–11, Paul explained why so many Jews had not believed in Jesus: “They don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law” (10:3 nlt). Paul reiterated God’s way of salvation: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (v.9). Quoting Isaiah 28:16, Paul assured his readers that those who trust in Jesus “will not be put to shame” (v.11). To encourage his readers to evangelize, Paul commended them: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace” (v.15).

Like this because I know in today, my God doesn't leave, I do. I do things mentally, emotionally and spiritually, that blocks His good orderly direction from coming through.

Where have I been? Some days, out to lunch. Other days, wrapped up in myself, looking at others to escape my reality, not willing to do the do things to get to where I need to be.