AN ENCOURAGING LETTER TO ME ABOUT “LOVE” from Steve Douglass, President of CRU.
Dear David,
My assistant Bobby and I were traveling a couple of weeks ago, when Bobby’s kindness to one seatmate gave him the opportunity to minister to another. Here’s how he wrote about it:
“I sat next to Marilyn on a recent flight to meet with ministry leaders who partner to engage unreached people groups. Marilyn had some physical health issues that caused her a lot of trouble walking. With turbulence on the plane and her husband in the window seat, I had the opportunity to walk her by the hand back and forth to the restroom when she needed it.
“When I sat down from one of our walks, the woman sitting across from me leaned over and said how nice it was to see me helping Marilyn. She then said, ‘I noticed you were reading the Bible. I’m not religious or anything, but I’m encouraged to see someone living out what they say they believe.
“From that comment, God opened a door for me to ask her about her beliefs, and share the gospel with her as she listened intently! I was not even aware how God would use kindness to a stranger to shine light in a dark world, to the point that someone would see Jesus through that action and be drawn to Him.”
Jesus taught, “They will know you are My followers by your love.” The woman observing Bobby saw that connection through an act of love and concern. As people of the world are more and more characterized by selfishness, those who follow Christ’s example of selflessness stand out. Bobby’s actions showed the woman he was committed to living as the Bible teaches, and gave him an opportunity to tell her about Christ.
There are many good reasons for us to love people:
•We are commanded to (Matthew 22:39).
•The presence of the Spirit in our lives should produce the fruit of love (Galatians 5:22-23).
•Love is a huge contributor to our ability to relate well to people all the time, not just in ministry situations (1 Peter 4:8).
•It demonstrates that we are born of God (I John 4:7-8).
But opening the door to ministry is also a great reason to love (Matthew 5:16). People notice when we show our love for them. It is winsome. People are attracted to what we have in Jesus.
So, let me ask you, how are you doing in showing love to people who don’t know God? Are there specific ways you could improve? If so, why not pray for growth in showing love? Who knows how many people may see your love in action, connect it to your relationship with Christ and say, “That’s what I want!”
Yours in Christ,
Steve Douglass, President, Cru
