1 Corinthians 7:29a – …But this I say, brethren, the time is short…”
At Rolling Hills Covenant Church where I attend church they have a “Discipleship Pathway.” The initial step of this pathway is a program called “Rooted.” It is a ten week shared journey that God definitely uses to grow us all, the mature to greater maturity and the neophyte to a growth in confidence of the faith we are called to. Rooted was brought by the Mariner’s Church (Irvine, CA) from Africa to their home church. They saw that the Lord bless Rooted as a catalyst for growth in their congregation. They then began to share it with other churches that have also witnessed God using Rooted to bless Christians. Rooted is not an end or a necessity, but a blessing to help us. It is based in God’s Word and in the support and beauty of Christians journeying together and sharing epiphanies from God’s Word with the Holy Spirit being the Maestro of gained knowledge in a concert of God’s mutual and shared love.
In this program, at the Celebration Dinner (the graduation dinner) there comes a time for card board testimonies. Card board testimonies are when those who have just “graduated” Rooted have an opportunity to write a short testimony onto a large cardboard placard that describes what God has done for them through the Rooted journey. An example would be that on the front side of the cardboard a person may write “Out of fellowship – lonely.” On the back side of the cardboard they may write “Not lonely, in a small group family.” In front of those assembled the front is shared with those present for a few seconds and then the card board is flipped and the back is shown. It is purposely concise to present a potent expression of what they have come to know and how they experienced God’s hand on this journey. It is a very brief moment to try to relay a powerful message of truth.
Family, I have very often heard people, even Christians, speak disparagingly about people who hold up their own “card board testimonies” in the street. A comment about these “street preachers” is that their message often seems angry, hurtful or not helpful. People will say that the love of God is not in their message. Too many often discard this ministry as unproductive and even against God’s will. I disagree.
Before I came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord I remember passing more than one street preacher. Mostly I remember the signs they held up. Yes, sometimes harsh, but mostly true, whether understood or not. “Repent and be saved” is true. “Repent or go to Hell” is true. “Jesus is the only way” and “Jesus saves” is true. I think the sign that got my attention was the one “Repent or go to Hell.” At that time, not being saved, I had a sense of hopelessness. I did not lie to myself and say that I was okay with God. I did not disregard guilt by hiding behind the mantra that “I am only human.” Family, I had done many bad things. I was not a “good guy.” I truly did not believe that God would ever accept me. I thought that I had done bad and would probably continue to do so. I was certain that in the end, the bad I had done would outweigh the good that I had done. I had no knowledge of the grace that God offered to mankind through Jesus. So some of these street preacher signs attached themselves to me and became what I thought were specters to haunt me. They were used by the Holy Spirit to convict me. Family some unidentified preachers had roles in the Lord drawing me to His salvation.
These street preachers have only a moment to put the truth of God’s Word into somebody. They hold up signs with short concise messages with the same urgency of those who graduate from Rooted. They want the readers to, in a passing moment, understand their message. Thus “Repent and be saved” works. “Repent or go to Hell” and “Jesus saves” work. Family, instead of criticizing these street preachers we should pray for them. If we don’t like how they express themselves, then we should pray for them. Family, they are our family, let’s give them a thumbs up and a smile. Say “praise the Lord” to them. Encourage them in their ministry. Don’t criticize the Lord’s servant (Romans 14:4), pray for them (1 Timothy 2:1) and love them (John 13:35, 1 John 4:7-8). They are doing what God has called them to do. When we are tempted to criticize, let us think about the last time we were desperate to share the Gospel…and actually did. That will humble most of us.
Card board testimonies at Rooted graduations are a blessing, and if we have the right attitude, so can the “card board testimonies” of many street preachers also be. Again, if we think the message too harsh, then love and pray for the minister. Or even, come beside them and hold up your cardboard testimony of the love of God, and then you will experience the rejection and ridicule that they receive as they stand in public and witness for God. Don’t want to? Hmm.
Praise God for His mercy and grace to all of us. All of us are a work in progress. Praise God who has made us all His work (Titus 2:14). Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.