One of the Susans in my life shares a funny tendency with me. We both go to extreme measures to give away stuff. One of her extreme measures involved chasing down a preschool teacher at the town parade to give her some puppets that Susan was sure were perfect for her teaching. One of my extreme measures was giving away a decades old encyclopedia set. After listing it as a freebie, a man responded; his reason for wanting it was something about caring for his dying uncle. We arranged for the pick-up time and as is often the case in giveaways and resales, there was a delay. I ended up ridiculously waiting an entire Saturday afternoon. His airplane broke down and he had to drive the distance to my house rather than a quick flight. As they say, you can’t make this stuff up!
More recently, Susan and I both had bike giveaway stories. One of my neighbor moms reached out on the local chat that she was looking for a bike for one of her kids. Just a day or two later, I noticed a house with good bikes set out for trash and recycling pickup. I quickly texted the mom who wanted a bike. She went and found one perfect in size and style for her daughter and commented, “And tomorrow’s her birthday!” I replied, “Well, consider that bike God’s special gift to her.”
Susan had been cleaning out her garage and dug out some family bikes that were no longer needed. She set the bikes at the end of her driveway with a “FREE” sign. The first bike went so quickly, she never even saw who took it. Susan had interactions with another taker, finding out a bit of her story. The lady was new in town. Susan offered to pray with her and told her about churches in the area they might try. Turned out that Susan had more giveaway items the new family could use.
Susan and I were both purposeful in bringing God into conversation, as Scripture encourages (Ephesians 5:16, 1 Peter 3:15). What we know in the Bible is true stuff and it is good news. Good news is always something to be told! People post that they got the vaccine. They tell everyone about things they get on sale or recommend restaurants that are particularly good. Graduation and birth announcements are printed and sent out. That’s what we do with good news, we share it.
Are you sharing the Good News of Easter? Jesus’ birth was happy news, and His ministry and miracles were inspiring, His death – shocking, gruesome and sad. But the resurrection, coming back from the dead as victor over death and sin for us, is astounding! The accounts of the resurrection in the Bible is full of people running, exclamations, excitement, and energy. And it is still an exciting story to know and tell. Jesus’ final earthly words instructed His followers to go and share the Gospel with people (Matthew 28:19). This is the mission of every Christian*. So, give away the Good News; use extreme measures!
*This is also the mission of every church, a tenet that has lately come under attack.
