When the Message Doesn’t Need Fancy Wrapping

Well, looky there at who just came traipsin’ up the lane, friend. Set yourself down on this here ol’ front porch right over there by that big flowerpot before the afternoon sun cooks us like biscuits forgotten on the back rack. There’s an ol’ Jersey cow right across the fence starin’ this direction like she’s plum expectin’ a theological lecture, and a lil’ ol’ flyin’ squirrel in that oak tree over yonder that looks altogether way too confident for somethin’ wearin’ its pajamas in the outdoors. They sho’-nuff’ remind me of somethin’ mighty important.

God downright never said we had to be plum impressive to be useful.

When Paul arrived in Corinth, he didn’t roll in with fancy speeches, dazzlin’ arguments, and enough polish to be makin’ everybody admire the preacher. 1 Corinthians 2:1–2 says, “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. That there means that Paul came determined to center everything directly on “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

That there was the message.

Jesus died.

Jesus rose.

Jesus saves.

Sometimes we make sharin’ our faith plum harder than hitchin’ a plow to a butterfly. We think we need every doggone answer, every verse memorized, and a testimony so dramatic somebody oughta put background music under it.

Paul sho’-nuff’ knew better.

1 Corinthians 2:5 says our faith should rest “not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

And 2 Corinthians 4:7 says, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

That’ll downright humble your biscuits.

We’re the jars.

Jesus is the treasure.

Your job ain’t to make the Gospel powerful. It sho’-nuff’ already is. Your job is simply to carry it faithfully.

A verse shared at the right moment, a quiet prayer, a simple sentence about what Christ has done for you may travel farther than you ever know.

Father, take away my fear of not being impressive enough. Help me speak simply, lovingly, and faithfully about Jesus. Remind me that the power belongs to You, not to my personality or ability. Give me courage to carry the treasure of the Gospel wherever You send me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, grab your Bible and mosey on toward the rest of your day, friend. A lil’ ol’ barn cat don’t need a trumpet before it catches a mouse, and a creek don’t need a brass band before it waters the valley. Quit worryin’ about fancy wrappin’s. Carry Jesus faithfully. God can do a mighty big heap with one willin’ heart and one simple word of truth.

With joy,

Gwen