by Jovanna Gomez

Alumni

Recently I was challenged with the question, "Who do you need to look at with a brand new set of eyes?" The challenger was asking me who in my life have I deemed as hopeless in terms of their faith to the point where I've given up on trying to share the gospel with them? The challenge came out of Acts 3, when Peter and John healed the lame beggar at the Beautiful gate. The lame man was there every day and surely Jesus must have walked by him a time or two without healing him or even paying much attention to him. In the story, Peter and John see the man and see that he has faith to be healed, so they heal him in the name of Jesus. The man leaps up and praises God. 

There are people in my life that are the lame beggar at the Beautiful gate, people that I see, talk to, work with, even love but don't "heal" or work to save. Partially, it's because I can't look past my own feeling that they are a hopeless case when it comes to being saved so I resign to the fact that it won't happen and give up. This diffuses my sense of responsibility and gives me a pass, even if only in my head. The problem with this is that it puts limits on God. I don't get to decide who gets saved, or when, or where or how. Only God does. Surely I should not rob people of the opportunity to hear about Jesus simply because I decided their reaction won't be worthy. It is solely my job to assist in the process of salvation as I am called to do, not to replace the decision maker Himself.   

My abuelita Marina (grandma) passed away this past Saturday. She was a prime example of the Beautiful Gate situation for me. She was old (82), set in her ways, and suffering from advanced dementia. I was convinced that saving my breath would be the better option when it came to sharing my faith with her. So hold my breath I did. I wish that this story ended with me telling you that I changed my mind and decided to share my testimony with her and then God performed a radical work in her and she gave her life to Jesus before she passed. I wish it ended like that so badly, but it doesn't. 

My grandma passed without ever hearing such a thing from me. Instead, I'm left hoping that some time during her last few days, when her ability to speak was not longer, and her days were mostly sleep, she met Jesus and fell in love with Him and gave Him what was left of life. I'm left hoping yet won't know in this lifetime. 

As you interact with those around you, ask yourself that question every day. It's too late for my grandma but there are still hundreds of people all around me (and you) that so badly need to hear the sweet words of salvation. Don't get left sitting with nothing but a hope in your heart and a bunch of coulda, woulda, shoulda's on your lips. 

Who do you need to look at with a brand new set of eyes?

(Jovanna was one of the 24 people who sat in Dean's parents' living room during the first meeting of City Church (when it was still The Well), and was one of the original "faces" of the church, seen in the Need to Know each week. She has recently moved from Tallahassee to Sarasota. Jovanna is in sales in the financial industry and is getting married on January 28, 2012 to her fiancè, Alex. Pastor Dean will be officiating...possibly in a robe. She holds a special place in the City Church family, as she was the first person to come to Christ at The Well. If you would like to contact Jovanna, you may do so at jovanna.gomez@gmail.com)