The shells tell a tale
Issue date: 9/6/06 Section: Web Exclusive
Holly Stahl
Staff Writer
There is a sacrificial fervor for missions many people have where the eye looks abroad and misses the need next door. Missions, discipleship, and actively being nice to someone can be a mission in its own right.
When people say, "I'm going on a mission trip," no one ever sees it as going five miles down the road to Wal-Mart and witnessing to customers; nor going to Caesar's Head and singing praise and worship, talking to people who come there and showing Christ to others. Seldom is a mission trip considered as a few blocks away.
During the summer, my family was able to afford our last trip to Daytona Beach Shores, FL. Armed with my camera, Christ's love, and a parasol to prevent burning to a crisp, I headed out onto the sand each afternoon, sensitive skin in peril. To some people, I would say hello. To others I would talk more in depth. The Holy Spirit would provide me with words or action and point me towards certain individuals.
My goal was not numbers of converts. My goal was love.
When I returned to our room, my disabled mother, 88-year-old grandmother, and her poodle Joy greeted me and asked me how things went. Then, I served them by being an escort to dinner or out sightseeing and help them with physical tasks.
I have an advantage over my mother and grandmother-I am young. I am able.
I have an advantage over some of the beach-goers-I am saved by an unfathomable grace.
Why waste that gift of knowledge?
After the tide came in one evening, I went out to a long stretch of smoothed-out sand. I found an object suitable for scraping sand and began to write. First, I scribbled, "God is beauty. Need proof? Look ahead." Then, things progressed to "Have no other gods but me! (This includes iPods and cellphones) Love your neighbor as yourself!", "We all came from God", "Love one another", "Be like Christ", and "Unlike these messages, God's word is everlasting." To all of this, I signed "Love, one Christ-follower." Christian is a religious word. Christ following is an active lifestyle.
Staff Writer
There is a sacrificial fervor for missions many people have where the eye looks abroad and misses the need next door. Missions, discipleship, and actively being nice to someone can be a mission in its own right.
When people say, "I'm going on a mission trip," no one ever sees it as going five miles down the road to Wal-Mart and witnessing to customers; nor going to Caesar's Head and singing praise and worship, talking to people who come there and showing Christ to others. Seldom is a mission trip considered as a few blocks away.
During the summer, my family was able to afford our last trip to Daytona Beach Shores, FL. Armed with my camera, Christ's love, and a parasol to prevent burning to a crisp, I headed out onto the sand each afternoon, sensitive skin in peril. To some people, I would say hello. To others I would talk more in depth. The Holy Spirit would provide me with words or action and point me towards certain individuals.
My goal was not numbers of converts. My goal was love.
When I returned to our room, my disabled mother, 88-year-old grandmother, and her poodle Joy greeted me and asked me how things went. Then, I served them by being an escort to dinner or out sightseeing and help them with physical tasks.
I have an advantage over my mother and grandmother-I am young. I am able.
I have an advantage over some of the beach-goers-I am saved by an unfathomable grace.
Why waste that gift of knowledge?
After the tide came in one evening, I went out to a long stretch of smoothed-out sand. I found an object suitable for scraping sand and began to write. First, I scribbled, "God is beauty. Need proof? Look ahead." Then, things progressed to "Have no other gods but me! (This includes iPods and cellphones) Love your neighbor as yourself!", "We all came from God", "Love one another", "Be like Christ", and "Unlike these messages, God's word is everlasting." To all of this, I signed "Love, one Christ-follower." Christian is a religious word. Christ following is an active lifestyle.
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