Sharing the Gospel

This week's assignment was to share what we have learned about grace and the keeping of the law with someone who is likely not familiar with the good news of God's forgiveness. We were to pray about who we would speak with, asking the Lord to give us courage and humility as we watched Him lead and guide.

On Sunday evening, after my National Guard training was finished, two other soldiers sat down at Starbucks with me as I told the story of the prodigal sons. The older soldier is a good friend with whom the music of the Gospel has been played before; the younger soldier is a testifying believer with an impeccable testimony and no song to sing.

While they listened I explained how in the story (possibly the greatest short story ever told) both sons were seeking joy: the first by "living it up," the second by validating himself through works. Neither son really understood that the joy they sought was to be found in the arms of their father. The younger son repented of "being bad" and the older son needed to repent of "being good" for the wrong reasons; both sons needed to collapse in their father's arms, weep in exhaustion and eat a fattening meal.

Once on the road I reflected that, like the sons in the story, I feel like collapsing, crying and being comforted too. It also occurred to me that the Father wants to hold me, comfort me and feed me food that "will never perish" (John 5).

Pray for my "battle buddies"...that the song will continue. Pray for me that the gospel will continue to become deep music to my heart. I know that our friendship will continue to grow and the song will continue to be sung, but it would be great to sing it together!