十月初我帶一位朋友遊溫哥華，這幅水彩畫是按照布魯代爾花鳥保護園的一角畫的。難得相聚我實在很想向朋友傳福音。話題轉不停都無法進入主題，拖了又拖，半日過了只剩下一小時她便要離開。往最後一站雪糕店時我心裏想，有必要如此糾結嗎？想不到引導題，單刀直入不就好了。如此，心裡有平安，放手一搏，直接問「你家有宗教背景嗎？」
她的反應跟以往不同，說曾看過恩雨之聲但聽不懂基督教的學術語。我問她是否願意聽我講論福音，她願意。我們邊享受雪糕邊討論，不止讓我把福音較全面地分享出來，並且彼此發問談到較深入的問題。跟以往傳福音不同的是我沒有那麼像在背書，沒有因時間關係匆忙完結了事，沒有那麼怕尷尬和怕對方反感，因而我所說的有經過思考，比較實在，有血有肉。
這段經文變得活靈活現：「我不以福音為恥．這福音本是 神的大能、要救一切相信的、先是猶太人、後是希利尼人。」（羅1：16）我特別感受到當我盡力做好本份，神會負責完工。想到我差點放棄，自己的能力實在是沒有什麼可誇的。當天諸事如此順利，是神的工作，盼望我以後都能不太介意成敗，放心直講。雖然朋友還未信主，她願意讓我跟進，定期討論信仰，對我而言已經值得高興了。
最近閱讀使徒行傳，留意到經文多處記錄神對保羅的鼓勵，推動他為主傳講福音，持守到最後。若非主不斷鼓勵保羅，並與保羅同在同工，保羅無法獨自完成呼召。同樣，神持續堅固著我們、與我們一同完成地上的工作，及至完成並得主的稱讚。
🌸「夜 間 ， 主 在 異 象 中 對 保 羅 說 ： 不 要 怕 ， 只 管 講 ， 不 要 閉 口 ，」（使18:9）
🌸「當 夜 ， 主 站 在 保 羅 旁 邊 ， 說 ： 放 心 罷 ！ 你 怎 樣 在 耶 路 撒 冷 為 我 作 見 證 ， 也 必 怎 樣 在 羅 馬 為 我 作 見 證 。」（使23:11）
🌸「 因 我 所 屬 所 事 奉 的 神 ， 他 的 使 者 昨 夜 站 在 我 旁 邊 ， 說 ：
保 羅 ， 不 要 害 怕 ， 你 必 定 站 在 該 撒 面 前 ， 並 且 與 你 同 船 的 人 ， 神 都 賜 給 你 了 。」（使27:23-24)
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After touring around Vancouver, my friend and I were on our way to get ice cream before her flight. This painting was inspired by a scene at Bloedel Conservatory where we visited together. For the first 6 hours, I wrestled and prayed about how I could begin a conversation about Jesus. Again and again I tried to direct our conversation to my faith but failed. I was procrastinating till the last hour when at last I asked myself, why am I so hesitant? Indeed I shouldn’t! I had peace that moment. I decided not to beat around the bush anymore and asked directly, "Is your family religious?" Surprisingly, she was willing to listen to the gospel in full. I was thrilled. Since we still had an hour to kill, I had ample time to not only share and explain what Jesus did for our salvation, but also asked and answered a few in depth questions. It was my very first time sharing my faith with a non Christian in a collected, detailed and undisturbed manner. Most of my life I shied away from sharing the gospel, for fear in other’s point of view it would sound dull, silly, superstitious or offensive. Even if I did, I would speak fast and hurriedly so I could get over the awkwardness.
As I dwell on how things work perfectly on this day with its timing and my friend’s reaction, this verse comes to life, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." (Romans 1:16) It was awe-inspiring that when I did my best to deliver the message, God would complete and orchestrate all things. I have nothing to boast of my wisdom, my abilites or my courage, as I was on the verge of giving up. In fact I won’t need to be anxious, rather I hope to deliver plainly and simply and let the Holy Spirit at work. My friend has yet to become a child of God, but she is interested to find out more. For me It is worth celebrating.
As I happen to study the book of Acts, here are a few verses I noted regarding God’s encouragements for Paul to keep preaching the gospel. I imagine Paul could not have made it without God’s timely and continual nudges while working with Paul every single time. Likewise, God is with us on this journey till we finish well, as we await His praises as His good and faithful servant.
🌸 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. (Acts 18:9)
🌸 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11)
🌸 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:23-24)
So good to see your sharing and your painting. I have shared this with my two sons, who were also TCKs grown up in Macau at the same period with you. 😊