Anything More Important?

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16

“I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2

“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has… died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:14-20

The masked waitress talked about dabbling in varied religions, east and west and upside down. As conversation turned to the gospel, she gradually unmasked her face as well as her heart. There’s nothing like genuine, personal interest to warm a cold soul to the Jesus fueling that expression of interest. Observing the quick turn to eternal things inspires the reluctant ambassador, as does the later comment, “Is there anything more important to talk about in life?”

We travel through our hours and miles and calendars surrounded by and entwined in communication. But how much is significant? Vacuous input hollows the heart, and yields pointless interaction, but rich truth soaked in and savored yields fruitful speech that enlightens and satisfies. (Proverbs 15:14; Luke 6:45)

It is easy to fill our time and conversation with the meaningless and banal, to spend our word count on stars and scores and silly banter, on who said what and whether we agree. It’s the lazy way to let flow our input and output, unrestrained and purposeless. Yet, if we would take care to absorb in generous measure the Word of God, instead of the plethora of worldly information available and coming at us full and fast, we would think and speak differently. We would have a divine filter on what we do take and and speak out on varied topics. If the words we say issue from our hearts, our practical priorities will determine the contents therein. (Proverbs 18:4)

What do we really value most? Are we driven by love for Jesus and the lost? Our talk will tell. Certainly there is trust that needs to be earned, ‘passport’ established before we can enter deeper conversation, but will we aim for that more significant place? To spurt out what’s required, to wag a finger, only intrudes rudely and stokes a rebuff. But to pave the way with kindness, selfless interest, judgeless warmth, is to smooth the path for open conversation and open hearts. If the gospel has marked us indelibly, it will identify our interactions with others in a supernatural way.

Lord, help me keep the main and most important thing just that, in my heart, my walk, my speech, for Your holy sake.