The person in front of you

By DR. KNOX HERNDON
Pastor

Trying to live the Christian life never ceases to amaze me. I have realized over the years that it is certainly not for the weak at heart, or for the timid, although it is offered to all who will accept Christ and try.

My father was told by one of his seminary professors that he would have trouble all his life because he “really believed the Gospel.” As I watched his Christian life, the professor was correct in the fact that Dad and Mom spent their lives giving themselves away to the unsaved, the poor, and the church. I learned a great deal from them about the faith and how to witness. As time goes on, I realize more and more that these two people were exceptionally and totally sold out to Christ. You couldn’t mention their names to anyone that they didn’t bring up their commitment to Christ, the unsaved, the poor, and the church.

I see churches today sending witness teams to other states and mission trips everywhere. I truly think it wonderful to see this. It does train our people to share their faith and to be bolder in their witness. I did however learn a more complete way, in my opinion, to witness year round. Once again, I am not at all suggesting taking away any efforts at mission trips, just a more complete way.

I watched Mom and Dad witness to “the person in front of you” no matter WHO they may be or WHERE you are. This may seem a bit strange to hear but very effective.

It is like having a beacon or a homing device on you at all times. The reason it is so effective is that it is real, it is spontaneous, it is unexpected, and you don't have to be on a mission trip to do it. In fact you are on a “life mission trip.”

I have heard bazillion prayers, catrillion sermons, quadrillion praise songs and hymns on the subject, yet have seen only a handful of Christians EVER DO IT!!

Dad became blind and crippled in the last ten years of his life. He said to me once, “Son, I have gotten to the place where I can’t see anymore, or hear much anymore, so I have someone hand me God’s Word and I just place my hand on it and can still feel its power.”

Mom finally got to where she only could walk with the help of a walker but pushed on as long as she possibly could. She finally moved to the Baptist Towers in East Point and we would go take her out to eat as often as possible. No matter where we would go to eat, she would often slowly leave the table after she had prayed and eaten and would go on another one of her mission trips. She would slowly wheel her walker up to someone and softly say, “Sir, I feel in my soul and spirit that you may have something or someone in your life that might need prayer.” Her spirit was so in touch with the Lord that His love would be all over the conversation. I would then see the person unashamedly bow their head and pray right there in the restaurant. I have often seen grown men stand there with tears rolling off their faces.

There are hurting people all over the place that want someone to listen and pray with them. If we are going to reach the world, we must witness to the person in front of us. To God be the Glory, great things He is doing and will do if we will get out of ourselves. He is Risen, go tell someone about it!

(Dr. Knox Herndon is the pastor of His House Community Church (SBC). Rev. Greg Mausz is Sr. Assoc. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the Sunday School superintendent, Bible study coordinator and teacher. The church is on Ga. Highway 85 South near Senoia, a mile south of Ga. Highway 16, on the right just past the fire station. Visitors welcome. Church office and prayer line 770-719-2365. E-mail address is KHERN23654@aol.com. Web address is www.hishousecommunitychurch.com. Also visit www.ddaytravelingmuseum.com.)