What's the Code?

I forgot my ATM pin number. Admittedly, it was not a crisis, but it was terribly annoying. Especially to the people in line behind me. I tried every combination of every pin number I had ever devised. Nothing worked. I knew my money was in that little metal box, but had no idea how to retrieve it. One more wrong pin number, and the little metal box threatened to eat my ATM card. By the looks of the faces in the growing line behind me, the little metal box wasn't the only one.

Fortunately, a kind bank employee helped me reset my pin number. The experience taught me an important lesson in evangelism. We have people all around us who don't have the right pin number to obtain what they desperately need in life. They are trying a variety of combinations that will never work: money, popularity, power. Nothing works.

Then they come to us. How do we treat them? They don't look right or dress correctly. They ask all the wrong questions. We inadvertently may give the impression that we wish they would just get out of the way.

I'm glad the bank employee knew what to do when I needed them. Scripture tells us to prepare ourselves for those who need to hear the gospel message. The Holy Spirit sends people our way every day. Will we be ready?

1 Peter 3:15

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.