Devotional by Lauren Webb
Scripture for Today: Romans 8:37-39 (NIV), “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The air conditioner was running at full tilt, and the hum filled the room. The day was hot—too hot for the new baby to sit outside. All three of us pulled our chairs up to the large windows to keep a careful eye on the scene below.
The water’s reflection glistened in the high sun as five girls jumped in and played. However, my youngest daughter, Hailee, was hovering over the edge of the pool, clutching her purple life jacket to her chest. My mother voiced what we were all thinking. “I thought Hailee knew how to swim?”
She did.
She had seven years of swim lessons under her belt. She was strong, and she knew how to keep herself and others safe around water. But on this day, she was timidly weighing her options on how to proceed. I watched as she struggled with putting on the life jacket, choosing her goggles, and entering the water. She knew what to do, but something was slowing her down.
There can be similarities in being a disciple-maker who makes disciple-makers. The struggles don’t stem from a lack of confidence in Christ’s faithfulness. Rather, they seem to be logistical.
I find myself on the precipice of the moment, wondering how to enter the flow of conversation. Do I jump right in and make a splash? Do I ease my way in slowly, testing the temperature first? Do I need floatation equipment to help, like theology 101 or apologetic resources? I find myself timidly weighing all my options on how to proceed.
This is not a new struggle for many. Even Paul wrote to Timothy, encouraging him to preach the Word.
“Stick to the truth you have been taught” was Paul’s charge. Paul reminded Timothy that he already had the deposit of salvation, the Holy Spirit, to help him. He wanted the church to know they already had everything they needed to swim.
We have what we need for gospel conversations. Christ Jesus grants us all through His victory, and nothing can separate us from His love. Because of Jesus, we are already conquerors. The power is in the gospel; it’s not our delivery, ability, or strategies.
I wonder if my Father in heaven has ever watched me like I was watching Hailee—a small smile on His face, issuing the same encouragement: Just go for it girl, just go for it.
Reflection Questions:
Prayer Challenge: Write out each verse listed below. Then using the Scripture, write a prayer for three things: confidence to share the gospel, opportunity to talk about your faith, and peace that God is pleased with your obedience.
- 1 Corinthians 15:57-58: Pray for confidence in this victory, opportunity, and discernment to do His work, and peace that your labor is never in vain.
- Galatians 2:20: Pray for confidence to live by faith so others around you may know this same faith, opportunity to share how God loves you, and peace that Christ’s sacrifice equips you to live a new life through Him.
- Ephesians 5:1-2: Pray for confidence that we are dearly loved children, opportunity to be a fragrant offering through sharing the gospel, and peace to live a life of love.