1 Thessalonians 4:1-2
Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
When I was young there was a song that went something like this: “Everybody ought to go to Sunday School, to Sunday School, to Sunday School. The men and the women and the girls and the boys; everybody ought to go to Sunday School.” (There probably still is a song like that).
I am sure the good intent of the author of that chorus was to inspire people to attend church services. The problem is that it was done from a guilt-producing mindset. It is easy for us to play Holy Spirit and project our values onto other people’s lives.
So how do we inspire others to become involved in the things of the Lord? Simple—be enthused ourselves. There is nothing that inspires people to want what we have like showing how much we are enjoying it. Today I saw a young woman walking out of Costco with a frozen vanilla yogurt in her hand as she pushed her cart toward the door. She suddenly stopped and licked that wonderful treat. I was also holding two of them in my hands, so I smiled and commented about how good they were. You could see people around us becoming attracted by our comments and our pleased expressions.
We can attract people with delight much faster than by pouring on the guilt. Let the thrill of Jesus draw you to the closest walk you have ever enjoyed. Tell everyone what you are discovering in your Christian walk. Invite them to join you!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
—Pastor Cecil