"Unadvertised"

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" Romans 10:14

Over the last two weekends my parents and I had a yard sale. The first one was advertised, the second one wasn't- we just put a sign out on the road. This weekend during one of the slack periods my dad made this statement-- "We have what they want, they just don't know we have it." My response was, "Boy, that will preach!" I know he was talking about the goods we had for sale, but my thoughts immediately went in a "spiritual" direction.

As followers of Jesus, we have what the world wants. They are looking for answers. They are looking for peace. They are looking for something real. They are looking for contentment, joy, happiness, something to believe in... and we have it. Sadly, most of them don't know we have it because we don't "advertise". We don't let them know it. We hide our lights under a basket. We don't testify. We live in such a way that they don't see something in us that is different from what they have. They don't see the joy and peace that comes from having a relationship with the Savior evident in our lives.

We have what they are looking for, but are we letting them know we have it? Or are we keeping silent and holding back for fear of rejection, opposition, ridicule, persecution? Are we not saying anything because we assume that someone else will? Or perhaps we don't tell them because we feel like they don't want to hear it anyway?

At our sale we had some very nice items, we had an assortment of various items for every area of life. You could find almost anything you need. But the items that we had- though they were usable, helpful or just enjoyable- only met the physical need and they only met the need temporarily. What you and I have received from Christ- the thing that they are searching for- meets the need that extends far past the physical needs. The items we sold will eventually tear up, need to be replaced, or reach a point where they are no longer needed. But the gift of eternal life that we have received and have to offer meets their eternal need and will always be needed.

Have a great day. You have what they want, need and are looking for, but do they know it?

For further reading:
Matthew 28:18-20
Mark 16:15-20
Acts 1:8
Acts 8:4