Across The Table

Tony is in Poland for the next few weeks. This is his unique perspective of the "opportunity evangelism" teaching English allows. This is a hard missionary field and not as flashy or quick-save as other parts of the world. But this field is just as "white unto harvest" as third-world countries more in the missionary spotlight. Pray for this work. -MKL, editor

Sitting across the table from you is a person who has known religion all his or her life but has little realization of what God and His word is all about. Some practice this religion into which they have been born but only out of the tradition they have been taught. Some have left this “national religion” for some ‘protestant’ theology and have, to some degree, become familiar with the Bible. Some have simply left religion because it has not offered them any more than the world has offered.

The person across the table from you has come to speak English with you and improve his or her skills. But they begin learning that they are receiving much more than skills in a language. A light begins to shine where there was darkness.

Darkness is the absence of light and you have begun sharing with this one sitting across the table from you the Light of God’s Word. Jesus said He had come as a light into the world and has asked us to let that light shine in dark places.

There is frustration. You want this person to know as much as you know and respond to this Word. It is so difficult to accept that someone does not have enough knowledge of the Bible to make the application to his or her life.

But the blessing of being in a situation like this is that you are letting this light shine into the life of this one sitting across the table from you. You begin to see the person realize that there is more to the Bible than just being a ‘religious book.’

Paul said some of us plant the seed and some of us water it but God is the one to give the increase. Jesus said in the parable of the sower that we are to be planting the seed and that there are different types of soil. Indeed, the one sitting across the table from you may be “seed by the wayside” but there are also those who are soil waiting for seed to be planted in their hearts.

Pray for that person sitting across the table from us. Pray for soil that will nurture the seed that is planted. Pray for the fruit to come forth.

See you when the Saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony