I’m Learning (slowly)
It was a delight to catch up with Rico Tice last week while he was in Birmingham speaking at the Spring Convention. I love his infectious enthusiasm for personal evangelism, for taking every opportunity to speak to people about Christ. I was won over (again) by his passionate concern for people – he really cares for individuals – and his passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ, trying whenever he can to bring the two together.
I know that I’m meant to be wise in the way I act towards outsiders, making the most of every opportunity, letting my conversation be “full of grace, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:5-6), but I’m not very good at it. However, seeing Rico in action made me want to try again and to try harder. I discovered (again) that it’s all about making the slightly brave remark that takes a little risk with the conversation.
This week a man came to service our burglar alarm, and he mentioned that he was retiring later this year. We chatted about his plans, and he remarked that you’ve got to make the best of life. I managed to say that it makes a difference whether you think this life is all there is, or there is something beyond it. He replied that he’d like to think there is. I responded: I know there is because Jesus rose again. Well, the upshot was that I was able to give him a retirement present – John Chapman’s Making the Most of the Rest of your Life – but only because I said the slightly awkward first thing. So, I’m learning.