I was on a defensive exercise with my regiment, an exercise where we learn and physically practice setting up a defensive position. It’s usually characterized by spending a long time digging trenches, and no sleep, and most of all… a lot of waiting.
On the second night of the defensive, my fire team partner and I were in an observation post. We had 6 hours to lie on our stomachs in the pitch of night, watching for a potential “enemy” advance. As soldiers, we do a pretty good job of making light of situations that are no fun like freezing on the ground during training, and so spent our time chatting and sharing about our families.
Because of things like this, you get to know your fire team partner pretty well. I’ve had the opportunity to be in the same fire team though basic training, the infantry qualification course, and through many brigade-level exercises. It’s not that often that people have the same fire team partner for as long as I have.
So what’s my point?
It’s hard work building a connection with someone, but it always pays off. In the military, it pays off because you have someone watching your back, always. But what was most significant about this exercise was when my fire team partner asked out of the blue, “So, like… you really believe all this Jesus stuff?”
I got to spend the next 4 hours talking about why I believe not just in a god and spirituality, but why I believe that Yahweh, the God of the Bible, is the one true God who sent His Son to restore creation.
Here’s my point: God can give us the most unexpected opportunities to share our faith—all we have to do is take hold of them.
Easter is coming up at the end of this month. There is no better time to share the hope that we have in the gospel. We want to provide you with all the tools you need to invite your neighbours. My dream is that when God provides you with an opportunity to share your faith (and He will!), you will have everything you need. At the church, we have lots of special Easter invite cards. You can take a few and put them in your neighbour’s mailbox. Knock on the door, invite them over for a cup of coffee and share with them about our Easter celebrations.
I know it won’t be easy. Inviting someone to church means inviting them on a journey of faith. There will be times when you will both be so amazed at all that God is doing… but there will be times when you will both be in the trenches of your spiritual life, laying on the cold, hard ground not sure what God is sending your way. But that’s the significance of life together as a Church. Someone will always have your back. Your deacons will be praying for you, I will be praying for you, and the Holy Spirit, our great intercessor (Romans 8:26), will always go before you.
So who will you invite this Easter on our journey of faith? Start praying now for God to give you unexpected opportunities and I know you will not be disappointed.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Matt
