Pray that the Lord will put a smile on your face, a song in your soul, and fill your mouth with words that will open a padlocked heart.
SHAUNA: Today’s question from Joni is this: “Does your reason for living make you smile?” Listen in and start smiling.
JONI: A guy shouted at me: “Hey, lady, do you have a driver’s license for that thing? Ha! Ha!” I was in an airport; I was speeding down the terminal to catch my plane. And I’m a pretty good driver, and even when I power my wheelchair at a fast pace, I’m always careful to give people plenty of room. But that morning I was weaving in and out, and I passed this guy who, with a smile, asked if I had a driver’s license. “God bless you for believing that I do!” I called back at him as I raced by. My wheelchair elicits so many comments like that. In fact, I’m surprised how many people initiate communication with me. And I really don’t mind it. In fact, I love it – whether in airports, waiting in line at the drugstore, wheeling down the mall, or even in elevators, people often just start talking to me. Usually, a Christian is the one who must jumpstart conversations, hoping to engage the interest of the other person. But that’s hardly the case with me. The wheelchair does the “initiating.” And I just kind of – I just kind of sit back and have fun responding.
You know, I think most people don't expect me to look happy sitting in a wheelchair. They see that my legs don’t work, my hands don’t work, and so they don’t expect to see a smile. Not long ago I was in an elevator with a group of men, and I was smiling and humming ‘Amazing Grace’. Well, someone asked about my smile, and I told them, “Well, I’m smiling because I have a reason for living.” And they always give me a curious look. And that’s when I might add: “Jesus has blessed me! Does your reason for living make you smile?” Now, sure, it’s a little up-front and it catches people off guard, sometimes delighting them, sometimes making them curious, and sometimes sending them running for the nearest exit. But one thing is for certain, it’s got them thinking! And to be honest, if in that elevator no one says anything at all, at least they see my wheelchair, they see my smile, and they hear me hum Amazing Grace. They can connect the dots, right?
The truth is I have never heard of one certain style of giving the Gospel that’s always a surefire success. It has a lot more to do with the Holy Spirit’s work in a person’s heart than it does with a certain technique or a Gospel tract. And so, when we are on the run in an airport, or on the run at a mall, or in line at a store, we Christians [you know how it is] you do the best you can. Grab a little bit of opportunity here; nurture it with a smile. Foster a conversation there; sprinkle it with prayer – season it with your testimony and leave the results to God.
Colossians 4 has good words for us when we are looking for ways to engage people in conversations, especially about the Lord Jesus. Beginning with verse 5, it says, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Got that? Be wise in the way you act when you’re out and about; make the most [now, get this] of every opportunity, and always let your conversation be seasoned with words that somehow make people thirsty for what you have. So, my prayer for you today – well, I just pray that the Lord God will bring a prepared, hungry heart across your path today – whether at the market, at the drug store, at school. May the Lord put a smile on your face, a song in your soul, and fill your mouth with words that’ll open a padlocked heart, because whether you are in line at a store, or you are in the mall, or you’re doing a purchase, running to catch a plane, thirsty souls are all around you and they are looking for living water. Share that water with encouraging words.
© Joni and Friends