St. Helen’s Daily Lenten Devotional
One of our Lenten themes this year has been the call to mindfulness of the Presence of God, in our daily lives and, in a wider sense, the power of the Holy Spirit at work in God’s world. Related to that mindfulness is an awareness of the opportunities to witness to our faith. That terrifies some people as they understand that the confession of faith is a private thing or fear that they might be subject to ridicule or worse.
So, on a warmish early spring day, my walking partner and I were keeping a good pace along a local path. The sun had created substantial puddles. A gentlemen coming the other way stopped at the shallow side of one of these to let us pass and my partner said, “It’s okay, I‘ve waterproof boots.” He replied that he didn’t want anyone to have to walk through the water. “I’ll walk on top.” was the answer and the response? “I’ve heard of someone else who did that.” And we said, “Yes, a friend, actually!” That’s all. A friend. The One who walks on water. No long theological debate, no waving of Bibles, not even compassionate pastoral engagement. We have a friend, in Jesus.
Consider the simple, ‘non-invasive’ ways you might share your faith…wear a cross that others can see; offer to pray for someone (and then do it!); when talking with someone who feels lonely, suggest St. Helen’s website (sthelens.ca) as a place to listen and join in prayer and uplifting music; send an Easter card or e-mail with a Christian message of the promise of the Resurrection of our Lord(and not just ‘Happy Spring’). As disciples of Jesus our role is not only to be Christ’s friends, comfortable members of a faith community, but to be ‘learners’ and credible witnesses, to be evangelists. To be a disciple is to “preach” to others, in word and example, in big and small ways, about the difference Christ makes in our lives…sharing that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, for us. It’s about inviting them to join with you in the journey of faith.
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord…2 Timothy 1:7-8