My Time Is Not My Own.

1 Corinthians 7:22-23a states, " For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price..."ESV

This last week I was out of town on a business trip with another co-worker. The work day did not go as smooth as we both would have liked and we ended up finishing our work day late. Once we left the facility I was tired and couldn't wait until dinner was done so I could go back to my hotel room and just relax. However, during dinner I realized that my co-worker needed to talk and some topics were on a deeper level. Right then and there I realized that I am not my own, but I was bought with price and I chose to serve Christ by taking the time to listen and talk with my co-worker even though I was quite tired. Please know that I’m not sorry that I did.

During the conversation I had many opportunities to share a very clear gospel presentation by warning him of what is to come, the need to repent and then trusting Jesus Christ for his salvation. When I brought Jesus up this lead to some other conversations about God's word and whether my co-worker felt he could believe everything as written in the Bible. For example, he questioned as to whether creation was actually created in seven days. He then quoted a day to us is like a thousand years to God, so creation could have actually happened over many of thousands of years.

I want to stop right here for a moment because these are times that can be intimidating and even scare some people to not sharing Jesus in the first place. When these situations come up, just relax and pray silently to God in your head for wisdom and guidance. I want to encourage you that you can do it, for He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.

Okay, back to the situation at the dinner table. After a quick prayer to God, I feel I received wisdom immediately. I was reminded of that very verse my co-worker was talking about since I had studied it recently (Note: all the more important to be in God's word daily). I quickly stated that the verse he was talking about was actually about God's patience toward humanity since He desires that none should perish without repenting and trusting the one He sent to save them - Jesus. Then I mentioned other facts about how the creation story was written and how it actually, literally means seven, 24 hour days. After mentioning this, he didn't know what to say, but that he would need to study that section more. He then tried to jump to another subject, but I quickly interjected and brought the focus back to what was most important. His broken relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

Just know that it can be very challenging trying to keep the conversation focused on the main thing (their need to repent and trust Jesus Christ) because this involves lost people laying down their pride and coming to a place where they admit they need help (a Savior). It can be very uncomfortable and humbling for them and most people will try to get the subject off of themselves and onto anything else.

“In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him…” Psalm 10:4a ESV

But just remember, we must stick to the issue at hand which is their salvation and know that you can do it with the Holy Spirits help.

By the way, after the two and half hour dinner (due to talking) I was still tired, but the excitement I had from sharing Jesus Christ gave me the energy to get from the restaurant and to my hotel room where I was able to relax a little bit before going to bed. As I lay in bed I thought to myself how glad I was that I did not rush dinner, but rather gave up my relaxing time for the Lord, so I might share about the Lord to a co-worker who needs him.