No other day of the conference will more of you claim a head cold. You’ll hear that we are doing “outreach,” and there’ll be a spike in DayQuil purchases in the hotel gift shop. But the truth of the matter is that, though it’s the most intimidating day of the conference by 273%, it’s also the day we see God move the most.
Don’t waste the fear and anxiety you are feeling right now. Use it as motivation.
I’ve seldom met anyone who was comfortable initiating with strangers about the gospel. It’s not natural. It’s not comfortable.
It’s supernatural. The God of the universe, before the dawn of time, knew this day was coming. He knew you’d sit in that chair and contemplate bowing out of the day of outreach. But He sent the Holy Spirit of God to strengthen, encourage, and equip you for today.
Tim Keller notes that the gospel is news, rather than instruction. We aren’t selling newspapers or Tic-Tacs out there. We are bringing good news. The Author of the universe wrote himself into the story, to save his beloved children. Shout it (lovingly) from the mountain tops!
And, if you actually have a head cold, take some DayQuil.
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Back in 2006 was my first Encounter conference, and when I heard about the day of outreach, I was very nervous. Now that I look back on that day, it has and will always have an impact on my heart. Praise be to God for the awesome things he can do through us.