Real Fireworks

By Mindy Lenahan on behalf of Linda Reppert

God knew where He wanted me on July 4, 2010. I was unsure if I should travel, but I went with a friend to Fort Lauderdale with plans of watching fireworks on the beautiful ocean. But God had greater beauty in mind.

An all day rain drove us miles from the beach to an arena parking lot instead. As the fireworks began an Indian family came and stood in front of the six of us. We had two blankets and two chairs. They had nothing. For an unknown reason, my friends and family chose to sit on the blankets laid over the hard pavement leaving me in a chair with an empty chair next to me. I offered it to the little grandmother type in the Indian family. She gratefully accepted, telling of her double knee replacements. Our conversation began.

“Where are you from?” I asked her.

“India, but living in Florida now.”

“I have a friend who has traveled to India as a Christian missionary.”

“What does a Christian missionary do?”

My heart smiled. I took a deep breath and prayed, “Here we go, Lord.”

In that moment I realized He brought me here for a greater beauty and purpose than 4^th of July fireworks.

When asked about religion, the little grandmother responded in heavy accent, “I believe all religions are good because they all make you do good things, and God wants us to do good things, don’t you agree with me?”

Desiring to build a bridge, I replied, “Yes God does delight when we choose to do good things, but I still have bad things – selfishness, bad thoughts, etc.”

We talked about Mother Theresa. She knew she was a very good woman who would go to Heaven. Then I asked about Hitler. She agreed he was a very bad man who would end up in hell. I said, “We are somewhere in the middle. If truly God evaluates us the way you suggest, where would He draw the line on how many good things get us into Heaven or how many bad things send us to hell? She said nothing.

I shared my bad things (sin) needed to be cleansed. If God accepted me into Heaven the way I am, Heaven would no longer be a perfect place because I would bring dirt with me. I explained God had sent Jesus, for that very reason – to take my sin upon Him, to die and experience the wrath of God – all to cleanse me so I could spend eternity with Him. But Jesus didn’t stay dead. He conquered sin and death when He rose from the grave. I am allowed entrance into Heaven based on my faith in Jesus taking away my sin.

She finally spoke and said, “It is good to hear about this Jesus”, but followed that statement with Jesus being one of many ways to get to Heaven.

Ephesians 2:8-9 came out my mouth: “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

I continued, “If good things could get you to Heaven, why did Jesus have to die on the cross? If there was another way, why did He suffer for our sin?”

The Holy Spirit was at work. She asks, “So you are saying Jesus is the only way to Heaven?”

“Jesus Himself said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Instead of resisting Jesus being mentioned she seemed more intrigued. The fireworks nearly over, she remained thoroughly engrossed in our conversation.

“Fireworks represent our freedom in America, but what I am sharing with you is how you can have freedom from your sin. God knew that tonight you would be sitting in that chair and I would be sitting in this chair and He wants me to tell you about Jesus.”

My Christian friend from South Africa was praying while I, a broken American shared the gospel with a woman from India. While we were celebrating America’s freedom, God was using people from all over the world to share real freedom. Truly, He had bought His world together for this moment. At one point my friend prayed a scripture and later told me that was the very next verse I mentioned to the lady. I was not alone on this mission.

The Indian woman wanted to go to the library to read more about Jesus. She gave me her phone number just as the fireworks ended. Her family came over and said, “This chair has been a blessing to us.”

They had no idea the blessing was eternal.

As we neared the car I asked my friends and family, “So how were the fireworks?”

They responded, “You were where the real fireworks were happening!”

I realized I was just given the privilege of watching the fiery light of His gospel shinning bright against the darkness of the world.

When I returned home, I called my new grandmother friend several times and sent her a large print Bible, which she is reading. In God’s perfect timing He will finish the work He has began.

As I contemplate how God used my 4^th of July vacation, I am reminded of a lesson God revealed to me in Israel. It is a lesson about God coming to get us in the midst of everyday tasks and using us for His eternal purpose.

Consider Mary who was living a poor woman’s life in Nazareth when God came after her.

Ruth was picking up leftover grain in a field when God sent Boaz to her rescue.

Peter, James and John were fishermen – doing just that – fishing, when Jesus called them.

Matthew was collecting taxes when God changed his accounting career.

Each of these had a heart ready to be used while in the middle of the ordinary. Fully surrendered to the call of Jesus, they were open to do anything He asked. We need to ask ourselves, “Is my heart ready to follow when the Lord calls?” If so, God knows where to get us when He is ready to use us.

Please be encouraged in your everyday tasks. You never know when God will show up and allow you the privilege of sharing in His eternal work. An everyday errand may suddenly include taking the time to share Jesus with someone who has never heard. A boring rainy day may unexpectedly become exciting at the opportunity to rescue someone for eternity. You never know when God will see fit to change your every day job to include a story worthy of the mission field. Your mission field is wherever you are currently. God never overlooks a willing heart. Be ready. Stay faithful. He will show up and light up your sky with some real fireworks – the kind that last forever.