Called to Be Witnesses – A Pentecost Practice

 On Pentecost Sunday, our DS, Rev. Renae Extrum-Fernandez, reminded us that:

• Our God never calls us without sending us on a mission (think of Moses and the burning bush), 
• Our God never sends us on a mission without empowering us to fulfill it (remember Jesus’ words to his disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you.”) 
• So what is our mission?   To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
• And how do we fulfill that mission? By becoming witnesses, Jesus’ witnesses. (Acts 1:8 – You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.)

Rev. Renae challenged us to become the burning bush, to live lives aflame with God’s Spirit that draws those around to turn and wonder, “Wow!  How do I get a life like that?”

Many of us – if not all – might feel a little intimidated by the thought of becoming witnesses.  Our minds might drift to people who hand out pamphlets containing the “steps to salvation” or street preachers who accost those passing by. We might think that being a witness requires us to say certain things and make certain invitations.  We might even have had a few negative experiences around witnessing.  But the reality is that being a witness is something we all know how to do.  Really!  How do I know this?  Because we bear witness – or tell someone about – the things that matter to us all the time.  And it’s not really all that different when it comes to faith.

The Lutheran pastor, theologian, and writer, David Lose, says this: “Witnessing does not mean shoving our faith down someone's throat or threatening them with eternal hellfire if they don't believe like we do. It's simply telling others where we sensed God at work -- at home or work, at church or school, through a stranger or a friend, a doctor or teacher or neighbor, even through ourselves. Bearing witness is nothing more than saying where you think God is at work in your life and the world.” You see, it’s something we all know how to do though we might be a little out of practice.

And so….during Pentecost, we’re going to commit to “getting in shape” by a simple practice.  We’re going to share with each other where we think God is at work by reflecting on and answering these two questions:

• How have you experienced God recently in your life?
• And how has that made a difference to you?

We’ll do this through the Messenger – this very space, as well as in worship.  I’m certain that within weeks, we’ll start to see a change in that somewhat flabby witnessing muscle of ours.  It’ll start feeling easier and easier each time we do it.  It’ll get stronger and more defined.  And before we know it, sharing the way God is at work in our lives and the world will become just as easy – and comfortable - as sharing about a really wonderful book we’re reading, a great recipe we’ve found, or the wonders of our recent travels.

Happy Pentecost, dear witnesses of Christ!  Come, Holy Spirit, come!