“So then, neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.” (1Corinthians 3:7)As I sat at the table this morning, I waited on God to do His work. I was available and prepared with resources, but it is God’s work to bring people who need Him to the LTW table. When people come over, I tell them my name and state that I am a member of the First Baptist Church of Sevierville. There are strange people in our world today with strange new age doctrines, and this simple introduction allows them to relax and lessens their fears. Then, I explain that this ministry is all about Jesus Christ, and everything on the table is free.
Very unexpectedly, one man today followed my introduction by introducing himself as an atheist. He explained how his best friend was a Muslim and died when he was thirteen years old. He said it was the Christians who told him that his friend was in hell, because he did not believe in Jesus and trust Him to be his Savior. This made such an impact on his life that he wanted no part of Christianity. I let him know that Christians do not always represent Jesus Christ in a way that imitates their Lord, which makes it hard for people to accept what they are saying. However, the Bible is God’s Word, and we must rely on it for Truth in all matters. If the Bible says Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man can come to God, except through Jesus, then it was God’s words that caused him to be offended so long ago. He picked up the booklet, After Death, What Then? and thumbed through it. After laying it back on the table, he spoke to me about the importance of freedom from religion being the foundation of America and how Dwayna’s booklet about our nation’s founding fathers being Christian was misrepresenting the true intent of their beliefs. I tried to let him know that I was there not to argue with him but to reflect God’s love. I could tell he was in a hurry, as most tourists are, and needed to get on with his day and his agenda. He did not take anything from the table and left as if he had all the answers he needed about life and death without God. I prayed silently for him and felt burdened, wishing I had been able to help him find God. After praying, my sadness was lifted as I remembered the above scripture from 1Corinthians 3:7.
The next visitors to the table were sweet Christians from Alabama. Two sisters had brought their elderly parents for a weekend in the Smokies, and we enjoyed sharing with each other the abundant life Jesus gives us. One of the ladies saw the tract, “Peace With God” on the table and took the same tract from her purse. She always carries it to use as a witnessing tool. They took CDs of Dwayna’s music. They also took a sermon CD by Hollie Miller, the pastor at Sevier Heights Baptist Church.
One precious, little boy talked excitedly as he looked over the table with his grandparents. He was recovering from ear surgery and had a cotton ball in his ear because of the lack of complete healing. After taking something for his parents, he took for himself Keys for Kids, Pure Gold, Hey Kids, and a CD of Dwayna singing as a little girl. After leaving, he came back over with his grandmother to thank me again for his gifts, and I asked him if he would like for me to pray for his ear. I could tell it was hurting him. He bowed his head, and I could feel God’s sweet Spirit as I prayed for him.
One of the park rangers came over while on his lunch break. He and his wife are retired, Southern Baptist home missionaries, who have planted churches in the New England states. They are members of the First Baptist Church of Seymour, TN, and are currently teaching a class of senior adults there. Because he works inside the Visitor Center, he had not realized I had been setting up each Saturday on the front lawn. He took Dwayna’s card and wanted to lead his class in praying for this ministry. Again, I praised God for His faithfulness in sharing what He is doing with others who might be interested in joining Him in it.
One couple came seeking materials to give to a friend who was a Muslim. I gave them “Dear Muslim Friend,” a CD entitled “Radical Islam in Our Community,” which is a testimony of a lady raised in Pakistan, and “The Gospel of An Angel: The History and Meaning of Islam.”
As I was packing the remaining materials on the table before leaving, a man came over to ask if he could have a Bible. It was the only thing left on the table, and it was the only thing he wanted.
These highlights of today’s conversations are offered with much humility. It was very hot in the mountains today, and who am I to represent Jesus, anyway? We are all unworthy vessels that He chooses to use for His glory. It is a mystery and a wonderful, wonderful, love story!
“Sharing Jesus, serving Him, and strengthening Christians with excellence for the glory of God.” (Mission Statement of First Baptist Church, Sevierville, TN)
Claudette Litz
