The Silent Witness

Thursday, April 7th, 2011

Today's Passage: Acts 8:26-40
Memory Verse(s): Matt. 28:18-19

This is a series of true stories that happen everyday. The first one is a common one of a little boy, barely three years old, who is trying to reach the knobs on a stove. His stubby little fingers explore the shiny things he thinks are toys. Little does he know, these knobs have ignited the gas which is now escaping into the tiny room that he's standing in. Before long, his mother pulls out a cigarette and gets ready to light it, completely unaware that the tiny flame will start a huge fire that may destroy them all. Just at that moment, the child's aunt steps into the kitchen and sees what the boy is about to do. FREEZE.

On the other side of town, a young woman is preparing for bed. Part of her nightly ritual is to stretch her limbs and undress while standing in her window. There is a curtain that stops people from seeing any actual part of her, but for some men known as predators the silhouette is enough to feed the imagination and allow their degenerate minds to plot and scheme. Little does she know that one of such individuals has been watching her ritual for weeks, waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Thankfully, another man is watching this exchange, and decides to call 9-11. FREEZE.

Perhaps even more uncommon is the story of a young man who is about to take a swim in the pond behind his house. Everything is right-- the temperature of the water, the warmth of the sun, and the emptiness of his parents house as he prepares to entertain all his friends later on that evening. But what this young person doesn't know as he steps in is that a hungry alligator lies in wait for him, very still in the silent pond. Good thing the young man's sister has been watching all along, and won't let him step foot in that water. FREEZE.

Now suppose you are the victim in all 3 scenarios. Someone nearby has the power in their mouths to say just one word to stop the imminent danger from becoming reality. But they don't because of the same reasons people give everyday. "He's too young; he won't know the difference." "It's a free country. People should be able to do whatever they want"; "What if they reject me?". Each situation is just as deadly, and yet we make the same excuses for not witnessing to others. May the Lord's heart be infused into ours as we look into the harvest fields, ripe and ready. For the Master is soon to come.

Prayer: Father, Your Son gave life to us all. I don't want to break His heart because of fear, apathy, or ignorance of the times. Help me be sensitive to Your Spirit and obedient to You, no matter what... Not juSt because of the reward that awaits me, but because I'm eager to please you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.