Meditation: July 22, 2007

"The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day." Genesis 18:1    

Reflection:

Every month on a Saturday morning around 10:30, a woman comes to my door. She always has a companion with her. My monthly visitor rings the doorbell, greets me, then shares a reading from her Bible. She reaches into her large shoulder bag to retrieve a publication written by her faith community, expertly flips to an article and tells me why I might find it interesting. She then gives me the magazine. I thank her, we say “good bye” and they leave.

This monthly visit has been going on for more than two years now.

The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th visits to my front door by Jehovah’s Witnesses caused me some anxiety. “Oh great! Here she comes again,” I would say sarcastically as I went to answer the doorbell. (Not answering was not an option since she had seen me look out the kitchen window!) After awhile, these monthly visits became a routine.

Our visits now last longer as I ask about her husband’s health problems and she inquires about how soccer season went for my kids. I have not accepted the invitation to visit her congregation, and I have not called the number on the pamphlet to get more information. I am pretty certain I will see her again sometime in the next few weeks, on a Saturday morning, around 10:30.

As the Lord spoke to Abraham, I believe the Lord is speaking to me through my monthly visitor. It is not the actual words she shares with me, but the example she sets in her commitment to evangelism of faith. Bad weather and closed doors do not deter her from going out each Saturday to spread her message.

Do I have the commitment of faith demonstrated by my Jehovah’s Witness visitor? Am I willing to put myself in uncomfortable situations for my faith? Am I willing to give up my free time to do the Lord’s work? Am I willing to have people slam the door in my face? Am I willing to…?

Prayer: Lord of Abraham, appear to us. Open our hearts to your message. Amen         

Question of
the Week: Who is the Lord using to speak to me in my life?        

Meditation written by Rod Snavely of the St. John's Writing Team.