A very long time ago I came to realize that nobody needs my opinion, because opinions are like bellybuttons, everyone has one of their own. Yet, anybody that knows me, sees me on television or reads anything that I have penned, realizes very quickly that I am very opinionated. I wear this characteristic as a badge of honor and boldly state my opinions everywhere, all the time, to everyone.
One good example is when I used to declare that I was a very good salesperson when I was in real estate. It was NOT an opinion. It was NOT pride. It was merely a fact and I will explain why. I was a topnotch salesperson because I never attempted to sell refrigerators to Eskimos. A good con artist will attempt to do that. Only someone very unscrupulous would try to per- suade you to part with your hard-earned money for something that you didn’t want or need. I was a good and very opinionated salesperson because I believed that the home I was presenting to my clients was the answer to their hopes and dreams. I believed in it’s superior construction and quality of workmanship. I knew the property was in the choicest location. It was also affordable. I staked my reputation and good name on the fact that buying this property would be an extremely wise investment for their future. I was convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that as they signed on the dotted line, they would be so positively affected by this new decision and venture that it would enhance the very quality of their lives.
You can just imagine then how vocal I became when I discovered that Jesus said, "no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" and that we can be saved and forgiven and that our names will then be written in the Book of Life? Plus that there is a mansion in heaven being prepared for those that confess with their mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in their heart that God hath raised Him from the dead. We will then be walking on the streets of gold for all eternity.
Upon discovering ‘the Way, the Truth and the Life’ I could not keep it to myself any more than I would hide the fact that I had discovered the cure for cancer. I declare this glorious news with a fiery passion that comes from God Himself.
I got especially excited when I noticed where God asks, ‘How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" A preacher? Oh yes, I figured I was going to be a better preacher than I was a real estate agent. A very opinionated preacher because I was quoting the very words of God Himself. Like Jesus, who said, "I speak to the world those things which I have heard of the Father." Now, THAT´S opinionated!
He didn’t have to say it twice, yet He did: in the first chapter of Jeremiah He said to me and all those that become His, "I knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb, before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world. For you will go wherever I send you and speak whatever I tell you to. Behold I have put my words in thy mouth to warn the nations and the kingdoms of this world.
My friend Wendy Sitar in Augusta, Georgia wrote this lovely poem that expresses much better than I have, what I am trying to say:
I Am Not The Author
I am not the author, of the words that pass my way But only an earthen vessel, being prayerfully lead each day.
Though the words pass from my hand, and may originate from my heart. Ti’s really God’s Holy Spirit, who is the author from the start.
So if credit is to be given, please don’t give it just to me. But give it to our Lord above, for He’s the author -- not me.
Copyright Donna Martonfi www.psalm40ministries.com
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