Too Short

Acts 26:28

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

Back in the 80’s evangelical Christians used to hand out little tracts as an attempt to win people to Christ. They were like little short stories of heaven and hell that were used to convince people of their need for Salvation in Jesus. These were great discussion starters but oftentimes they were too short to convince the average unbeliever of their need for Jesus. More than a tract, unbelievers are looking at the trek of your life to see how you live out your life more than they are looking at what you hand out. These popcorn testimonials are great discussion starters about peoples' need for God but in order to convince people to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savor they must be convinced that we follow Jesus ourselves.

The Apostle Paul was on trial for allegedly stirring up trouble in Jerusalem. He was explaining his faith journey and encounter with the risen Jesus to King Agrippa. Paul was getting close to convincing King Agrippa as he tried to make the connection from the Prophets to Jesus. King Agrippa felt Paul trying to make a logical leap and connect King Agrippa to Christ when Agrippa interrupted Paul and said, “Do you think in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” ‘Your time is too short!’

Like Paul we don’t have much time with people these days. Time is a precious commodity. Tweets only hold 140 characters. Preachers are sending out prayers in sound bites, everybody is trying to sound profound in a limited amount of time and space and 140 characters are just too short to share all of what God has done for you but you shouldn't let that stop you from sharing your faith just because your time is too short.

1. To effectively share your faith you need time to establish relationship with the people you are witnessing to. You are not always going to encounter people who believe what you do but it doesn’t hurt to share what you believe. Just know that you are not going to convert everybody on the first try. Build relationship and consistently live out your faith. Don’t just say it. Live it!

2. Know that sometimes you are only planting a seed for somebody else to water later. One man plants, one man waters, and God gives the increase. Even though your time is too short God’s word never returns void.

3. It’s not the amount of time but the quality of what you share. Be clear. Be Concise. Be caring.

4. Pray for God to use the time you do have. Don’t waste your time when God puts you in front of important people. Pray for what to say. Paul said in verse 29, ‘Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Dear God,

Use my time to make an impact on the people you put me in front of today. Teach me how to make the most of my time, whether short or long. I pray that unbelievers would come to know Jesus by my life and words because Life is too short.

In Jesus Name,

Amen