By Carol Round – “But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth”—Acts 1:8 (GNT).
I never thought I’d be sharing the gospel message in Wal-Mart. The timing was right, but I couldn’t do it in my own power.
Our conversation began while the young man was preparing to give me my yearly flu shot. Glancing at the paperwork I’d filled out, he asked me to confirm my birth date. When I answered that I was born on November 12, 1953, he said, “May I ask how old you are?”
I replied that I would be 72 years old in a few months. He answered, “No way. You don’t look that old, nor do you act it. Most older people come here looking sad, not happy. What is your secret?”
The Secret Power
The Holy Spirit was nudging me to share Jesus with the pharmacy tech. First, I smiled and replied, “Well, first, happiness is fleeting. It depends on your circumstances.”
When he asked what I meant, I began to share with him about many of the trials I’d faced in life, especially with my health. I’ve had thirteen surgeries in my lifetime, some were elective, others were due to threatening health issues, including cancer and a dog attack. Currently, I am seeing a chiropractor for issues with my back and neck, and a podiatrist for plantar fasciitis.
After mentioning my health issues, I said, “We always need Jesus, but as you get older, you need Him even more, as well as a sense of humor. Jesus is my joy. No matter what circumstances I’m facing, good or bad, I can still find joy through my relationship with Him.”
The Joy of the Lord
As our conversation continued, I shared with him that I was a 23-year cancer survivor. When I went for checkups afterwards, I would search the faces of the different patients around me in the waiting room. The ones who had a positive attitude appeared at peace with their diagnosis.
When I would strike up a conversation with another patient, I learned what I knew to be true. No matter what you are facing, it’s the power and joy found in a relationship with Jesus Christ that makes a difference in your daily life and often in the outcome of a serious health diagnosis.
Psalm 107:2 tells us to “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those He redeemed from the hand of the foe.”
Sharing our Testimony
Sharing my testimony with the young man, who I learned was from Laos, I was delighted when he said, “Thank you so much for spending time with me and sharing your stories. Most people don’t take the time to do so. They are always in a hurry.”
Jesus told us to go and make disciples of all nations. By sharing our faith stories with others in a powerful and personal way, we can communicate the gospel to others. Our own stories of how God has worked in our lives serve as a bridge to those who may be struggling with life issues or have no real understanding of our risen Savior.
I’d been praying for opportunities to share my faith with strangers. God heard my prayers, and the power of the Holy Spirit allowed me to speak boldly when the young man opened the door with his questions. Just ask God for those opportunities, and watch the Holy Spirit make you bold.
I always love hearing from my readers. Please e-mail me at [email protected] with your thoughts or visit my blog for more inspiration at www.carolaround.com. If you need a speaker or workshop leader, contact me at the above e-mail address or through my website. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 
on Unsplash
