Snowbird Witnessing
Rosemary Logsdon Smith
At Autumn’s equinox, the Southern and Northern hemispheres trade places in receiving the amount of light and warmth from the Sun, which results in the change of seasons, and each year my husband and I join groups of people who head south for the winter. Some call this “snow-birding.” While contemplating our soon-coming annual migration southward, I mentally and physically begin packing for this departure. However, my conscience is stirred to do more for the Lord to help disseminate the light of His glory anywhere and everywhere I go.
Reflecting on our witnessing, I have realized that witnessing is more than what we do for Jesus but, rather, who we are in Christ. True Christians can’t help but witness of the One we love and desire to serve! We have experienced multiple encounters that happen without us even having witnessing on our minds! People have approached us in various venues—the street, the grocery, a department or tire store, in our neighborhood, at prayer meeting, even the church parking lot—to ask questions that lead to a spiritual discourse and/or opportunities to tout God’s health messages, or requests for Bible study.
When people are seeking something better, they see something in you (which is Christ abiding within) that draws them to you! They want to have what sets you apart, to know what you know that makes you stand out from others. Truly the Holy Spirit is at work on the hearts of people today. As the Scripture says, “The harvest is plentiful,
but ...” (Matt. 9:37).
Of the many witnessing activities, you can engage in, here are some of the ones we are doing: give Bible studies, hand out food to the community at church, literature distribution along with Strong Tower Radio (STR) promo cards and/or bookmarks, offer rides to those without transportation, put GLOW tracts in strategic locations, send cards or make phone calls that encourage others and pray for them, or simply offer a helping hand where needed.
First and foremost, though, know what you believe and why. Believe with conviction
and live out your beliefs in your everyday life and you will be a witnessing magnet!
Especially if, in prayer, you daily relinquish your time, efforts, and energy to the Lord for
His plans and purposes. Divine appointments will become a regular part of your life just as they have for us.
A few Christmases ago, I was abundantly grateful to God for the strength, energy, and endurance I am so blessed with. I wanted to give Him something of myself. As I prayed
about the gift I wanted to give my Lord, The Spirit impressed me to share my strength, energy, and endurance with those around us who lacked such blessings. After all, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these … ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:40).
So, I thought about all the talents and abilities I had and wrote them down. Drafting a Christmas letter to each of our church families in Florida, where we winter, I placed it in their Christmas card, offering my time and “gifts” in whatever way was within my sphere of capabilities. The church members were stunned! But once they understood that I was serious, requests started coming in for themselves and for others they knew, even non-members. Meeting peoples’ needs was Christ’s MO (mode of operation), and inspiration says, “Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. … We need to come close to the people by personal effort… and greater results would be seen.” (MH 73).
This year, with Strong Tower Radio’s new Android and I-phone apps, I am introducing others to STR, “Where God’s character is proclaimed!” With the FREE smartphone app, it’s so easy to lead people around the globe to your favorite radio station. They just download the app from their provider’s app store with a few steps or “stream it” on their laptop or desktop computer by typing STR.fm in the search engine box, click on the live-streaming button and “Walla!” They can immediately listen to life-changing truths and information—the best gift ever! It is the easiest witnessing possible. And don’t forget to carry STR promo cards and bookmarks to pass out everywhere. You and they will be glad you did!
Let’s remember that “Snowbirds” can witness in their summer and winter nesting grounds or even while migrating. Following the dictates of Matt. 5:14-16, “Brighten the Corner Where You Are.”
Photo Credit- Constant Contact
