Genesis 50:20 “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
I met a woman I’ll call Doubt. Doubt resembled me in some ways. She liked to read. She seemed interested in protecting children and animals. But there was something about Doubt that caused me to wonder. Was she a Christian? Did she know the love of God? Was she Jesus’ follower? I had to know.
When I first started a conversation about God with Doubt, I was met with an adamant “NO. I do not believe in God! I am an atheist.” Atheist! Atheist? Oh, my. I was in for trouble. Despite every reason I had for not following directions when God told me to work His name, His Son’s name and Christianity into my conversation with Doubt, I did it. These were unwelcome thoughts I’d placed in the mix for Doubt. Soon, she was letting me know – without any doubt, that my God thoughts were unwelcome.
Hmmm? Could it be that Doubt doth protest too much!? Hmmm?
Finally, I came to realize that I was only stirring the pot, so to speak, with all my meanderings and ramblings about the Lord. Doubt wasn’t biting. But, Doubt did love to read. I decided I would offer her one of my books of Christian poetry. As soon as I handed over the volume she retorted, “I won’t read it!” “Oh,” I told her, “it’s poetry”. As if she wouldn’t have realized that but from my soft reply she seemed to have relaxed a bit. “Ok,” she said simply, accepting my token and placing it in a place for later examination.
Just before placing my book in Doubt’s hands, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to recall that verse that I wasn’t apt to think of on my own at all. The verse that says, Matthew 7:6 “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Yes. My books certainly were my small pearls. But, was God telling me to ignore the sinner’s heart, the one who needs saving, the one who I felt determined to plant my seed of Him inside? Surely not.
After offering my book to Doubt, and going on about my day, I heard a message that reminded me we have all been those ‘swine’ at some point in life. Each of us had to hear about Jesus and each of us had to have the opportunity to believe Him. Doubt is no different than me. Yes. Her sin is different than my own, but her need for a Savior is not different at all.
Just after this I was separated from my friend, Doubt. She went her way and I went mine, but I have not one doubt that my ministering to her was well spent. She might not meet my Jesus. She might not get saved. She might go to hell. But, not without my prayers. Not without my sincerely planting the seed that I hope has taken up root in her spirit. Not without the friend who believes, believing that she is indeed one of the souls who has heard the gospel here on earth. She might not take the initiative and become a Christian. But, how am I to know?
I threw my “Pearls” before swine and I believe the One who inspired me to write those words has blessed me all the more, with blessings only my heart can sing of, because – in spite of their dark heart, I ask Him to save the atheist as well as the believer. We are all sinners. We all need a Savior. And, thanks to God, to Jesus, to the blood, we have the freedom – even in our sinful state – to repent, reach out and rest our souls in His embrace. I’m so very thankful that He made a way that only love could have paved. His road is the road to eternal hope, eternal faith, eternal grace. His road is the road to everlasting peace and I am walking this road when I seek to serve the ones that He sought when He came to live, die and rise again. Thanks to Jesus, I am surer than I’ve ever been that each tear I cry for the lost is a tear that stirs heaven’s light so that it reflects what it means for God to silence all fear with His gentle strength.
There is nothing on earth that can change a heart. But when you mention Jesus, you can change the darkest heart. You can change the color of a thought. You can change the fate of what was lost. And, that – my friend, is worth the cost of your service to God.
I hope and I pray, that with these “Pearls” I’ve written from my heart, there will be one changed so that they’ll reach that place where God can take away all their worst and give them a new heart, a new body, a new home in heaven, where He will forever abide with us.
All Doubt aside, let love be the guide! Let love be the guide!
If you would like to read further:
Pearls of Grace by Regina McIntosh
