Most of you remember the old sports movies from the 40’s and 50’s where the sports hero either wins one for a kid in the hospital or the team wins one for the hero who is in the hospital. They always talked about the old college try. I have been wondering lately about the old gospel try.

What am I doing to spread the Gospel? I am not very evangelistic. I am upset about part of that and some times I see my place in the mix. I have found that many people find me positive and with a sunny disposition. Even though I am only 41 I talk to children in stores and restaurants as if I am 74 or something. I find that some people like me to be around because I am positive and upbeat. If folks ever ask me what makes me so happy, I can share about GOd blessing my life and the idea that God is in control and even if I die right now. Things are going to be better.

However, I do not preach much and I do not have many deep abiding relationships. The ones that ought to be deep don’t quite make it. The guys I am the closest too in the gospel live far away but they are a continual encouragement to me. But I do not always get to the deep and abiding part even with them. I say that to tell you that I think for my life and dispostion to be truly evangelical, I need to nurture those relationships in order to truly convey the love of Christ.

That is my first goal in a very busy life-cultivate deeper friendships.

The second goal is to be the primary gospel. The guy that shows people that you do not have to live a life of depression, sadness, fear, and anger. There is much more to life and to try ann be more blatant about where my joy comes from. I many times have to remind myself. I am happy. I am also tired and weak, but happy, content, and joyful nonetheless. Even when I am short or curt to my other brothers and sisters at church it is usually because they are so gripy and whiny. It is not right for me to be curt, but that is why I am. I am not longsuffering for people who are not suffering so long (if at all).

My goal this week is to be more blatant about the source of my joy. To be kinder to those that serve me in so many ways-secretaries in businesses, servers in a restaurant, store clerks, cashiers, and other folks who have to deal with so much negativity and condescension. They wear name tags, I will call them by name and I will wish them a good day, a blessed day, or a big thank you.

I will also show this love of Christ that sustains me to my children. They deserve it much more than anyone else.