You Put Flowers WHERE?

Mom came into the hospital room with bags full of goodies for me, including some BEAUTIFUL flowers! I love flowers, don't you? They just brighten up my day!

Well, after about an hour of having these flowers on the cabinet next to the bed, I couldn't take it anymore. The constant heavy fragrance was killing my already pounding head. So, reluctantly, we banished them to the bathroom...

I almost felt sorry for those poor little flowers destined to spend their lives in an undesirable place. But, after several bathroom trips (remember, a pregnant woman's bladder is almost never empty), I realized how GOOD they made the bathroom smell. By putting something pretty in an otherwise grim place, the whole room was transformed.

Likewise, we as Christians, should not be afraid to place our "pretty" (spiritually speaking) selves amongst the more "grim" (again, spiritually speaking). A flower in the bathroom can cause change (of atmosphere, of smells, of visual pleasingness) and be a blessing wherever it goes -- a Christian in the life of a non-Christian can cause change (in their lives, in their hearts, in their relationship with Him) and be a blessing to whomever he/she comes into contact with. 

I'm not saying we should begin to frequent bars or clubs. No! Lost people are all around us! Are you seeking them out to share with them the gospel and therefore be a blessing in their lives? Or do you think you're too pretty to associate with those sinners?

Our Savior came "to seek and to save that which was lost” [Luke 19:10] and wasn't afraid to minister to even the most grim - for example the cheating tax collectors [Mark 2:15].

As followers of Him, we must do the same... "He who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk just as He walked." [1 John 2:6]

• At work. Build relationships with co-workers who aren't Christians. Or, if you stay at home, don't be afraid to invite your husbands' co-workers over for dinner. Using our abilities to be hospitable is a way to influence others unlike any other. And, hospitality is not just a suggestion, but rather is commanded of us as Christians. 

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality." [Romans 12:10-13]

• In the community. Are you a part of a club or group? What about a frequent visitor to a library or do you always have the same waitress at a restaurant? Build relationships here! However, if you find yourself not seeing the same people week in and week out, consider carrying an evangelism bag with you. Keep the bag stocked with the latest gospel meeting fliers, business cards, or info about general goings at at your local congregation. You may also want to carry around DVDs such as Searching for the Truth. Once you have your evangelism bag stocked, make it your goal to pass out materials to someone each and every time you enter a public place.

• At assemblies of the saints. Wait a second... why do you need to be trying to convert souls while you're "at church"? That seems silly at first, doesn't it? Well, it's not! There are plenty of spouses of Christians, teens who may be uncertain, and visitors from the community who frequently attend worship services and Bible studies, but who have not obeyed the Gospel. Seek those people out to build relationships with them and bring your flowery influence into their grim lives!

Remember the words of Christ... 'He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick."' [Matthew 9:12]

(NOTE: If you enjoyed this post, you may want to check out Daniel's blog, "The Christian Practice" where I'm a guest writer every Wednesday.)