Heaven Bound

 Fishing Waikiki

I spent the afternoon today at Waikiki, but, this time without a beach towel.  My friend and I had been talking the last few weeks about going to Waikiki sometime for the sole purpose of witnessing.  I thought this was a great idea – sometime!  I’ve always like to teach and consider it my gift, more or less, but, evangelizing ….. ummmmm …..not so much. Which is not to say, that over the years, I have not taken the opportunity to share with family and friends, because I have, but, cold call witnessing; getting out on the street kind of stuff – uh ….. not my bag.  But, in studying Matthew 24 as a good watchman should, I found myself face to face with the last few verses of the chapter which ends with the parable of the wise and faithful servant, a parable which challenges us to be busy about the Master’s business, until he returns. As I thought and prayed about these verses, I felt myself being challenged to come out of my comfort zone, to step up to the plate in ways that I never have before, so that I might not only be a witness for him, but, that I might also be a witness of him – to the great and marvelous things he wants to do through the work of his people in the days before his return.  I truly believe, this is what he desires.

With all that is happening lately; earthquakes just about every other day, volcanos blowing their tops and society unraveling faster than a kitten with a ball of yarn, we may sometimes feel as if we just want to find a mountain top somewhere, where we can go, sit, pray and – wait.  But, that is exactly what God does not want us to do.  God wants us to be busy about his business to the very last hour before he comes and I believe this is why he ended the Matthew 24 discourse in the way that he did.

Now, I know that being busy in God’s work is highly individualized and relative to our family and work responsibilities.  I was talking to my daughter about this the other day and she is eight months pregnant.  Undoubtedly, the degree to which God expects to use her at this time in her life is different from how he expects to use someone like me, someone who no longer has the responsibility of small children to care for and has a lot of free time on her hands.  So, I believe it is all relative.  But, what I do see for myself are windows of opportunity, windows which for one reason or another, I have chosen to avoid in the past.

 the fisherman and …. the fish

As I mentioned above, my friend and I had been praying about this for a while and finally decided today was the day.  So after church this afternoon, we packed our water bottles, sunscreen and sunglasses and headed for the beach – ready to go fishing.  Today was typical Hawaii weather, sunny but, not too hot; temperature in the low 80’s.  Waikiki beach was bustling with people as usual.  Surfers and tourists, locals and snowbirds and an ever increasing number of homeless.  I had a small Bible packed in my bag and we had a few tracts which we had selected to take along as well.  In praying about our approach, we decided, the way we thought God could use us best would be by interacting with people.  We didn’t want to simply thrust a tract into someone’s hand and walk away. 

As we walked along the beach, we prayed for the Holy Spirit to lead us.  So many people; where to start.  We saw three women sitting at a table, one in a wheel chair.  We walked up and said, “aloha”  and introduced our selves.  We ask them where they were from and they told us they were visiting from Canada.  They also told us that they had one more day on the island before they had to leave. We told them we had come to the beach to talk to people about God and to find out if there was anything we could pray for them about. Two of the women said yes and told us they had been having some problems with asthma.  So, we prayed – we prayed for their asthma, we prayed for a safe flight home for them and we prayed the message of the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, God’s son  – we then left them a tract, wished them God speed and went on our way.  And, this was our pattern for the afternoon.  No, we didn’t lead anyone to salvation and no, we didn’t speak to dozens – we spoke to a few.  And, everyone for whom we ask if we could pray, said yes.

I have to say that this afternoon was a real blessing and we both agreed we wanted to go fishing again  – soon.  Did we do everything perfectly, probably not – we know we have a lot to learn, but, trust God to teach us and equip us along the way – but, for us, it was a very rewarding and joyful first try. 

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “And, I will make you fishers of men.”  Mark 1:17

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they will prosper who love thee. Psalm 122: 6.  Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy