The Stickiness of Witness

 

...to bear witness before them

                and the Gentiles.

When they deliver you over,

do not be anxious

   how you are to speak

or what you are to say,

for what you are to say

  will be given to you in that hour.

For it is not you who speak,

but the Spirit of the Father

   speaking through you.

            Matthew 10. 18-20

This verse does not say

   do not be prepared,

but do not be anxious.

God places us

in the most unusual situations

  strategically for His glory.

Be not afraid to speak of Him

  in our speech, work, 

  conversations or writing.

God uses us in ways

   we cannot ever imagine.

The words He gives us

   are a sticky witness,

to draw others to Him.

Be prepared

        to bear witness

Why am I here?

   Bring the name of Jesus.

O LORD,

We have no idea what words

   will be remembered.

We cannot conceive

   how they bear fruit

           and multiply.

All we need to do

   is pay attention

        and be faithful.

Even in this unlikely place

   or awkward situation,

You change lives forever

  with the seeds we plant.

Help us to make space

   for Your Spirit to enter 

in every sacred encounter

that we too often ignore.