Torch, Spring 1994

Rescue The ~------IVloments Stewardship In Daily Ministry by JoAnn DiCuirci A I headed for volunteer work at the Crisis Pregnancy Center that warm afternoon in May, my focus was on rescue– rescue of those clients who did not know Christ, as well as their unborn children. My spiritual gift and first love is evangelism. I was praying while I drove that the Spirit of God would prepare hearts and give me the wisdom to understand where they were in their journey toward knowing God. Perhaps I would plant a seed, or water, or harvest. Whatever the situation would be, I prayed for courage, boldness, and sensitivity to meet people's needs. At that moment, I stopped for the light, and the driver in the car next to me had his windows down and his radio up. "Wouldn't it be easy," I thought, "to look directly into his eyes and say, 'Hey, have you heard the Good News? Jesus Christ died for your sins. He'll set you free if you let Him'!" While I was deep in thought the light changed. I had hesitated and missed this golden opportunity to sound the rescue. "Oh, Lord, it would have been so easy...give me another chance," I prayed. "I'll do it." Resolved to obey that still, small voice, I followed after the driver praying specifically, "God, please let him pull over to the side of the road." The driver signalled and turned off the main street, not exactly as I had requested, but within the realm. I followed. He approached the stop sign. I honked to get his attention and then motioned for him to halt. Quickly I ran to his car and said, "You're not going to believe this, but the Lord is trying to get your attention. He put it on my heart to follow you so that I could give you this." I looked directly into his eyes, handed him the booklet and finished, "It will tell you about God's love for you and how Jesus Christ came to die for your sins. Will you do me a favor? Will you read it?" He took the booklet and agreed that he would. We parted and as I continued on my way I was filled with thanksgiving that God had allowed me to recapture this opportunity. I don't engage in "car chase evangelism" on a regular basis! But I recall that episode as one in which I was not ready, at first, to seize the moment for Christ. Hesitancy to exercise any of our spiritual gifts can be a hindrance to our ministry. In Colossians 4:5 we have been given a command: "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time." The word for "time" is not "chronos," meaning time that passes, but "kairos," meaning a moment of importance. Thus the NIV translates the verse, "make the most of every opportunity." But in the Greek the word "redeem" paints the more accurate picture of a rescue. We who know Christ are attempting to purchase opportune moments for Christ. To be good stewards of the opportunities God gives us, we must be "instant in season and out of season," ready to preach the Word and act upon it (2 Timothy 4:2). We must rely on God to carry us through those moments, even when we are unsure of ourselves. I began volunteering at the Crisis Torch 13