The fear of failure keeps us from trying to succeed.
The fear of losing keeps us from trying to win.
The fear of what everyone else will think keeps us from stepping out boldly.
The fear of ridicule keeps us from declaring our faith in Jesus Christ.
Most of all, fear stifles hope.
– Hope from My Heart by Rich Devos
Joe was an alcoholic whose life was miraculously changed by Christ in an inner city mission. Prior to his conversion, he existed miserably in the ghetto. But following his encounter with Christ, everything changed. Joe became the most caring person that anyone associated with the mission had ever known. He spent his days and nights hanging out at the mission, doing whatever needed to be done. He could be counted on to help and minister to the men who wandered off the streets looking, seeking the basic necessities of life. He became a prime example of Christ’s transforming love.
One evening, when the director of the mission was delivering his evangelistic message to the usual crowd of sullen men with drooped heads, there was one man who looked up, came down the aisle to the altar, and knelt to pray. As he was praying he began crying out for God to help him change. The repentant drunk kept shouting, “Oh God! Make me like Joe! Make me like Joe! Make me like Joe!”
The director leaned over and said to the man, “I think it would be better if you prayed, ‘Make me like Jesus.’” The man looked up at the director with a quizzical expression on his face and asked, “Is he like Joe?”
This story is a pointed reminder that our lives affect others, positively or negatively. It illustrates the truth that in many cases before we can win someone to Christ we must win them to ourselves. Jesus put it this way, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Remember – just as Joe had made a positive impact on the drunk responding at the altar, YOU may be the only Jesus that some in your world will ever see.
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