How Contagious is Your Hope?

“10 million Americans have tested positive for the coronavirus. A Cambodian province closes schools after a leader of Hungary visited the country and tested positive. France and Italy report record cases as the virus ravages Europe.” We read these discouraging headlines and wonder if this pandemic will ever end. Highly contagious, it is proving extremely difficult to control. If only the hope that lives within us was as contagious!

What would it look like if the message of life, hope, and transformation we are carriers of would go viral through us?

To slow the spread of the virus we’ve been told to do a few important things. These contrast with seeing our hope in Christ go viral.

We are told:

• wear a mask,
• social distance,
• stay home.

Instead we must:

• unmask our faith,
• overcome distance (natural and cultural barriers) and
• find creative ways to go to the lost.

Let’s make our hope contagious! May many be infected through our lives.

Acting Opposite of the World

“Act in the opposite spirit,” the speaker said in my Discipleship Training School. “What in the world does that mean?” I wondered.

I was twenty-three. My husband and I sat in the small living room filled with cozy couches that had been transformed into a class. There was a fuse-ball table (a tabletop game similar to soccer) in the back, and a fireplace in the front of the room. Converted for that purpose for those hours, it was a place to listen, discuss, and learn.

The speaker went on to give examples from scripture. “Jesus said, if someone takes your coat, you are to give them your shirt. That is acting in the opposite spirit. They take, you give.”

The more she taught, the more it made sense. This Kingdom Jesus calls us to is an upside-down Kingdom. When others hate, we love. When they accuse us, we speak blessing.

Learning to respond in the opposite spirit was a key lesson in my DTS (Discipleship Training School.) The application has been life-long.

We are surrounded by, even bombarded at times, by the spirit of the world. We must learn to recognize what we are hearing, seeing and encountering. Is this the Spirit of Christ? Or of the evil one?

“Seeking to live a spiritual life while staying in close contact with the world is no easy matter.”

– Teresa of Avila

In news media, social media, and even in conversations with friends and family, we must be on guard not to come under the spirit of the land.

Covid 19 has brought many changes to our lives. We can not allow it to bring a change to our hope for a tremendous harvest of souls. The Church cannot, it must not go into survival mode.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

1 Peter 3:15b NIV.

3 Keys to Going Viral With Your Hope

1) Unmask your faith.

Do you live as a spiritually obvious person in your community? Jesus said to let our light shine, not hide it under a covering (Matt 5:16). Many of us are incognito (invisible) Jesus followers. Let’s take the figurative mask off and let the world see our faith and hope in God.

There has never been a better time for the difference that hope makes in our lives, to be put on display.

You don’t need to be obnoxious or preachy about your faith. Become comfortable talking about Jesus in a natural way, as you would about your best friend. Look for ways to open up your life to others.

One way is to offer to pray for those who complain, or share a struggle they are facing. Another way is to tell stories from God’s Word that relate to issues people are talking about.

What story or encouragement from the Bible could you share when people talk about how hard 2020 has been?

2) Overcome distance (natural and cultural barriers).

If we want to impact lost people, we must lean into the natural barriers between us. We are of a different Kingdom and must find ways to bridge the gap between their worldview and ours.

Not everything in the culture of the unreached people around you is evil. What can you learn from them or commend?

Perhaps with a Muslim, you could say you are inspired by their devotion to prayer several times a day. With a Hindu, you could express the way their commitment to hospitality, how they treat guests, challenges your life. Celebrate the good in the cultures around you and learn from them. This goes a long way in overcoming the distance between you and them.

While you may need to stand six feet apart, love can bridge that gap. Let your love be strong enough that it isn’t hindered by social distance. Find ways to bless and care for your neighbors in this time. A kind word, a prayer for healing, a phone call, or text message can go a long way when people are isolated and lonely.

3) Find creative ways to go to the lost.

God desires to release His incredible creativity to His people in these days. We may not be able to do evangelism or share our faith, in the ways we were comfortable with in the past. Let’s seek Him for new ways!

He promises to speak to us, to guide us if we will take time to ask and wait on His answers. A friend in India started forty online Discovery Bible Studies. With months, those forty had more than doubled and the online efforts spilled over to in person ministry as well. Others have joined online chat groups, met people there, then shared their testimony or passages of scripture.

Be creative and willing to experiment. Every idea won’t work, but as you persist, you’ll discover new ways to reach out.

Make the Most of Every Opportunity

The pandemic has brought many challenges. It has also brought tremendous opportunities to us as the Church. Let’s make the most of them!

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Italics added. Eph 5:15-17 NIV.

How will you act in the opposite spirit this week?

Share your comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook page.