In my twenties, I served as a missionary for three years. One night, on a brief visit home, God began dealing with me about witnessing to my mother.
This was not a simple task, as my mother had strongly opposed my faith at its start. She had even kicked me out of my childhood home for it! However, now that the years had passed, I understood none of our previous conflict mattered. I couldn’t allow my bitterness to keep her from an eternity with Jesus.
So I told her I forgave her. I explained my understanding that she had simply been trying to protect me from something she didn’t understand. I reminded her I loved her and would continue praying for her.
Truth be told, there wasn’t much change at first, but when I returned to the mission field, the Holy Spirit began giving me words of knowledge about things happening back home. When I asked my mom about them, she often sat stunned on the other end of the phone.
I’ll never forget my return home that Christmas of 1984. My mom picked me up from the airport, and I could see it: she was different. As soon as she saw me, she threw her arms around my neck, hugged me and said, “Jimmy, I’m so sorry I was stubborn. I don’t want you to go to bed until we pray for Jesus to become the Lord of my life.”
Neither of us knew that Christmas would be my mother’s last. One year later, she died from cancer, and I had never been so grateful for heaven!
The reality is that none of us know how long we’ll be on earth. It’s why Paul urges believers repeatedly to “not be ignorant” concerning our role as effective witnesses to those God has placed in our lives.
In Acts 2, we find three ingredients of an effective witness. First, effective witnesses honor God’s presence. Verses 1-2 say, “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.”
In Scripture, wind typically represents the presence of God’s spirit, proving that when we honor God’s presence, His power is revealed.
Effective witnesses also live with passion. Verse three says, “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” Throughout Scripture, fire often represents passion. When we honor God’s presence, we naturally gain passion for others to experience Him.
Then, effective witnesses engage their people—those in their circle. Verse four says, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues…” From then on, salvation spread like wildfire.
Friend, you’re the most important preacher some people will ever hear. So I encourage you to own your role with those God has given you. Your witness matters!
