“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14, NKJV).

He was improving from therapy related toxicity to his lungs, with his exercise O₂ sat now 89 percent. He felt well and his tumor was gone. We had time to talk. “The best thing that happened since I was here,” he said, “was that my 13-year-old nephew led his coach to the Lord. Coach took him to his office with tears in his eyes and told my nephew, ‘I need to be saved.’ My nephew shared the gospel, and his coach came to Christ.”

I need to up my game.

I need to actually play the game that matters most. This was a 13-year-old boy who brought his coach to Christ.

The kid just raised my bar. My little leaps won’t cut it. I’ve got to jump higher, run faster, pray harder, speak more intentionally, listen more earnestly for the Holy Spirit’s whisper.

And I need to prepare:

• Live a life that would compel a patient, colleague or friend to ask me the way.
• Commit each morning: “Let me speak the name of Jesus today.”
• Memorize Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, John 3:16 and Romans 10:9.
• Be willing to pause in a hectic day.
• Pray silently when entering each encounter.
• Ask God to find the opening.
• Listen for God’s whisper, “Now.”
• Faith flags*
• Faith stories*
• The gospel

God will place someone in my path who needs to know He loves them, someone who needs to meet Jesus.

Thirteen years old. A coach eternally changed.

Where have I been hiding?

Dear God,
Please fill me with the fire to share your love.
Amen

*For more information faith flags and faith stories, check out CMDA’s Faith Prescriptions at faithrx.cmda.org.