The Other Side of the Street
Posted by: forthright <forthright@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
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Today, a new columnist! Our friend Mike starts his
Field Notes. Read his bio on the "About Us" page:
forthright.antville.org/stories/43286/
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COLUMN: Field Notes
The Other Side of the Street
by Michael E Brooks
We were in the second week of campaigning in a
little town. I had established a series of home
Bible studies in a particular neighborhood and was
traveling there each day. One morning as I went to
an appointment a lady came to the edge of the
road, on the other side, and called out, "People
on this side of the street want to hear the Gospel
too."
What a wonderful experience and what a great
lesson! We can become so focused on one person,
group, or area that we fail to see needs and
opportunities elsewhere. This is true not only in
evangelism, but in life generally. A Christian
mother is busy with house and children; does she
see all the needs of her husband? A father is
preoccupied with work, providing a material
living. What about his children's needs for his
time and attention? What about his own spiritual
values?
But the primary lesson remains evangelistic. Jesus
describes the process as "A sower went out to sow"
(Matt. 13:3). Careful placing of seed in a
prepared site is not the method He suggests.
Rather, broadcasting -- throwing seed abundantly
and letting it fall where it will -- is His
method. We can be too concerned with efficiency
and fertile fields. Lost souls are everywhere.
Human needs abound. And sometimes the greatest
need and the most open heart may be in an unusual,
unexpected place. We must keep our eyes open,
ready to see where such need exists.
Is there a "wrong side" of the street? Most towns
and cities have certain districts of bad
reputation. Perhaps the people there are poorer
than in other areas. Maybe immorality or crime is
more common. Sometimes it is a matter of different
races or ethnicities being in the majority.
It is not uncommon for the "better" people of the
city to avoid such districts. Unfortunately this
can be true of Christians as they seek to minister
to their neighborhoods. We just "don't go there."
Maybe it is out of fear. Perhaps it is because we
don't feel it would be effectual. Or maybe it is
because we don't really want to deal with "those
kinds of people."
James says about such prejudices, “My brethren, do
not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Lord of glory, with partiality ... have you not
shown partiality among yourselves, and become
judges with evil thoughts?" (Jas. 2:1, 4).
People on that side of the street want, and need,
to hear the Gospel too.
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