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What's the Problem?

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and do the end of the earth." - Acts 1:8

This verse has been read and quoted many times to help inspire churches to reach those right outside their door and around the world.  It's also one that many missionaries feel is a major part of their calling to travel and spread the gospel in some of the most remote and dangerous areas on earth.  We seem to have more means, more ability, and I would like to think more motivation than ever before. 

So why does this question from my devotional this morning bug me so much:  What obstacles are currently hindering the gospel message from being fully proclaimed "to the ends of the earth?"

Sadly, my honest answer is me.  I'm not making every conversation about Christ and the wonderfulness of his grace.  I'm only sharing with those I feel comfortable talking about faith with, those who won't call me stupid if I say the wrong thing.  I'm not walking the streets of neighborhoods with homes of people I know don't live godly lives.  I haven't told my neighbor about Christ, or all the guys at the gym, or made sure everyone I work with knows Him. 

But yet I've sent a gift around the world at Christmas time and said I did my part.  Yeah John, you sure did buddy. I've allowed people I know personally but not spiritually wander through this thing called life without giving a second thought about their eternity.  All because I can't do it or don't know what to say.  You know what, maybe during that awkward silence when neither of you know what to say, maybe in that moment, the Holy Spirit is working in that person's heart.  Bring Jesus up, just talk about Him because you love Him and He loves you.

So yea I've failed at Acts 1:8, but there's no time like the present to start getting real.  We all quote Philippians 4:13, but re-read this verse about the power we receive from the Holy Spirit.  We can witness because we aren't doing it alone.

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