Dear Friends,
Only two check-out lines were open at Hobby Lobby (the Christian arts & crafts mega store). One line was dedicated to returns, and the line we were in had grown to about eight patrons. Suddenly, the clerk working our line placed a “Closed” sign on the counter and brushed off the immediate protests of the customers who were being sent to other terminals.
It took only a few seconds for the quiet mumbling to become a bit boisterous.
We weren’t happy about the inconvenience, but after commenting to each other about how the situation could have been handled better, we moved with the others to one of the working registers. Some of the other patrons weren’t as submissive and the complaints started to get louder.
Out of the blue, Bonnie said loudly enough for everyone to hear, “This would be a great place to practice our Christianity!”
The place became eerily quiet. Several people turned to smile at her, and even the most boisterous of the patrons — a young man that looked like he might be in a motorcycle gang — quieted down. “Whew! I thought. “That could have gotten really ugly, but, praise God, it didn’t.”
Later, when Bonnie and I discussed the incident, she explained her boldness, “At church we have been studying ways to live out our Christianity. Perhaps what happened at Hobby Lobby is an example of what some have called ‘in-the-moment ministry.’”
That’s a radical concept. In-the-moment ministry suggests striving with the best of our
abilities to live moment-by-moment in ways that bring glory to God.
Jesus words come to mind: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
If we take the moment-by-moment approach, we will discover a multitude of ways we can let our light shine. Every encounter with another human being becomes an opportunity to do, say, or think something that glorifies God.
We aren’t all equipped to fulfill the challenge Jesus spoke to his disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” But each of us can, as we go into the world, offer a kind or calming word, a loving gesture, or a shared prayer to demonstrate the difference the gospel has made in our lives.
In his letter to Titus, the apostle Paul offered advice every believer can take as a marching order: “In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” Titus 2:7
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 