Cara Whitney - Fields of Grace: Sharing Faith from the Horse Farm

I am so proud of my wife and the journey that has led her to this fantastic relationship she has with Jesus. I mean, its incredible! In the Bible whenever Jesus was doing miracles, they always said the people marveled at what He had just done. Thats exactly how I feel about my wife, Cara, every time she starts writing these books. I marvel. Its not the same marvel as she does with me when I dont take out the trash or the kinda marveling she extends my way when I dont clean up my side of the closet. Those marvels have negative connotations. But the marvel Im talking about is a giddy happiness of unbelief of how God can work in a persons life when they give everything to Him. My faith itself has been strengthened by my wifes relationship with our awesome Savior. And thats exactly what it is if youre doing it right, a personal relationship with Jesus. Hes our friend.

Its so crazy to me how God works. I grew up in the church: Wednesday-night prayer meeting, Sunday morning, Sunday evening, youth group, potluck dinners in the basement of the church. Many years of prayer, coleslaw, and hamburger hot dishes. Then I got in the entertainment business and fell faster than a fat guy getting off the couch with numb legs. (I can say that because Im a fat guy, and when I sit on the couch my legs go numb, and then I... ugh... never mind, I digress.)

I tell this little story because its an amazing look into how God works and how important evangelism is. I marveled at the fact that Jesus worked through my wife, which in turn made me, a backslid Christian, rededicate myself to the most important thing in this world: a personal relationship with Jesus. Now, this is my wifes book, so I dont want to get too long-winded in this foreword, but since Im on the couch with numb legs from sitting with this computer, Im obviously not moving for a while, so let me just say a few more things.

We live in a godless time. A time where Christian people need to step up and be bold about our faith. Not in a Hey, buddy, you better yada yada yada Bible-thumping kinda way, but in a loving Hey, youre my friend, and I want you to know the hope and happiness I found in Jesus because I want you with me in heaven kinda way. If you wanna be a real rebel in this world, stand up for Christ. Thats being a world changer.

I know its scary sometimes to share your faith, and we all want to be liked, but if you really care for people, the most loving thing you can do for that person is to introduce them to the truth and hope that is Jesus Christ. Its true freedom. Never, ever be ashamed to speak out about Jesus, because you never know whose life God can change in a quick conversation. Its about planting a seed and letting God do the rest. People are hurting in this world, and you may think they dont wanna hear you ramble about Jesus over an Arbys beef and cheddar, but just when you think it was all for naught, guess what? Youll more than likely be the one they come calling on when their life falls apart. Trust me, it happens all the time to me!

You dont have to be a world-popular renowned preacher or a missionary to the Zulu nation to change a life. You know what ya need? You just need to be unashamed and bold enough to drop a little nugget of truth into someones head. God has used (in worldly terms) some of the most timid, uninfluential people ever to turn others into world changers. The only way they were able to be a world changer is because you changed their world.

You gotta remember something: no matter where you work or what you do or what your lot in life is, we are all part of this awesome body of Christ. You may be just a pinky toe, but youre just as needed as the head, the eyes, and the ears. Everybody plays a part. Thats how it works. Never think youre not in a position to share your hope. People need it and want it. They may not act like it, but nowespecially in these timesthey are looking for happiness, and thats a fact. You can not only give them happiness, but you can also give them hope, which will last forever. Can I get an amen?! This book my wife, Cara, wrote is just exactly about this: sharing the hope we all have in Jesus and standing up for whats true and right and giving people freedom in the true love of Christ. Be bold, be a rebel, and share what you have with others and watch the people marvel. God is good. Ugh... my legs!