A Melody of Love
By
Susan Klein
“Let
us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow
weary.”
Galatians
6:9 (NIV)
In one of Kay Arthur’s
teaching videos, we are treated to the testimony of a woman from a communist
country. She tells how difficult it was to share the message of Jesus at her
place of employment in her homeland. She asked God for guidance in how to be a
witness to these women, none of whom were a bit interested in what she had to
say. He told her not to speak, but just to live out His love. So, she
shared her time watching their children, she shared her meager paycheck to help
others with their rent, and she loved on the women in any way she tangibly
could. Many times she went back to the Lord, asking if she should be more bold
in her speech, and He kept whispering to her heart to just live out His
love. After a whole year of loving with actions and not with words, a coworker
confronted her. She said she didn’t understand how this woman could be so kind
all the time, showing endless compassion without expecting anything in return.
And how could she always seem so positive when conditions were so bleak?!! Now,
it was time for words.
As Kay so poignantly
put it, “We need to let people hear the melody of the gospel before we give
them the words.” I know in my own life, often I don’t feel like I’m being
effective if I’m not sharing the words of the gospel. But, as illustrated above,
sometimes actions speak more melodiously to the heart than words. This woman
persisted in doing good to her fellow man (women) for a whole year
before she saw the fruit of her labor. This was her opportunity to finally
share the words of the gospel, when the other woman’s heart was opened and
questioning. By first showing the sweet music of Christ-like love, the gospel
words became that much more powerful.
Sharing Jesus by
lending a helping hand or a few dollars to someone in need may be just the melody
that gets their attention so we can then point them in the direction of the
lyrics. God is the Songwriter. He draws people to Himself and does the tugging
on the heartstrings. We are merely the notes He uses in His melody of love.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Who needs to hear
the love song, which God has equipped you to share?
2. Is your music
drawing others to the Lyricist?
FURTHER READING:
Susan
enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and mentoring. She and her husband Mark
co-lead an on-site small group studying 1 Corinthians with Oakwood's Wednesday
Night Community.
