gregstier.org

So last week I’m up in Estes Park with my family at a time share that my in-laws own. Jeremy comes running inside breathless and yells, “Daddy, your website is dare2share.org right?”

“What are you talking about Jeremy?” I asked him, wondering what in the world was going on.

“I need the website daddy. I’m telling a kid about Jesus!” he tells me with an exasperated look on his face.

“Forget the website Jeremy. Just tell him about Jesus.”

Jeremy runs back outside, blazes across the grass toward the outside playground. He goes straight into the tiny fort where the other tike was (he looked to be around Jeremy’s age, in the six to seven year old range.)

I waited for a few seconds and then slowly walked outside to overhear what Jeremy was saying to this little guy. He had this kid cornered quoting “the gospel hand” (thumb = “God loves me”…index finger = “I have sinned”…middle = “Christ died for me”…ring = “If I believe”…pinky = “I will go to heaven), a simple “kid way” to share the good news of Jesus.

After Jeremy was finished he said, “It’s easy. Just believe it. Just believe it. Say it with me.”

The wide eyed kid was overwhelmed and said, “I think I better go home now.”

I interupted and said, “Hey, why don’t we all play tiger tag for a bit?” Tiger tag is Jeremy’s invention. The kid agreed and everything was fine. After about ten minutes Lucas went home and Jeremy said goodbye.

Who knows what will happen as a result of this encounter? Years from now Lucas may be giving a testimony at a church about a crazy kid who shared the gospel with him that he eventually responded to in faith. The gospel is that powerful.

As I grabbed Jeremy’s hand and headed back into the house I couldn’t help but think of what I was like when I first shared my faith as a kid. Like Jeremy I just kind of cornered and quoted. I blurted out my presentation and expected everyone to accept it. I wasn’t that smooth at bringing it up, laying it out or closing it out. But, at least, I was giving the gospel. I had to start somewhere…just like Jeremy.

Now I get the privilege of coaching my seven year old how to bring it up without making other kids run away in fear. I will help him tell the story of Jesus in a compelling way. I get to equip him to reach out without freaking people out. It will take time (heck it took me a decade or two) but it will be worth it.

I’m proud of my little boy. He sees the need to tell everyone about Jesus and he is trying to do something about it. He is valuing the priority of sharing the good news of Jesus to anyone who will listen. Sure he needs a little finesse (although, in my book, seven year olds have a built in “get-out-of-jail-free card” when it comes to finesse) but the kid has got a whole lot of faith. Combine the two and you are onto something.

Take a cue from Jeremy and seize the opportunities God has given you today to share the good news of Jesus. Do it with love and as much finesse you can muster but do it. If my little seven year old can do it then so can you and I.

I’m proud of you son. Keep sharing the good news.

I think I better go home now.