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Faith Focus: Lessons from Thomas Edison

You probably know Thomas Edison is one of the greatest inventors in history. He was the force behind the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph and an early motion picture camera.

Did you also know that in his 84 years of life, he acquired a record 1,093 patents? That’s 1,090 inventions that many of us have never heard of – either because they had little to no impact or because technology has passed them by. That’s 1,090 efforts that failed to produce the results Edison would have liked.

Failure – even repeated failure – seemingly never bothered Edison. He simply pushed forward with new ideas and new approaches. Some of them worked. Many of them didn’t.

What if we took the same determined approach with evangelism? What if instead of worrying about exactly what we’re going to do or say to express our faith or how other people will respond, we just pushed forward with Christ’s command to share the gospel with the world around us?

Sharing the good news of Christ isn’t always easy. It doesn’t always result in someone coming immediately to faith. Often that happens after repeated investment in someone’s life – by you or someone you will never meet. 

The Parable of the Sower tells us that not all seeds produce fruitful crops. Yet, some do. And the results are lasting. Like the effect of Edison’s inventions that many of us know by heart.

“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” –Matthew 13:23

Deeper reflection:

  • What does it mean to share the gospel?
  • Why does Christ trust his followers with the duty of sharing the gospel?

Next steps:

  • Many times, the good news of Christ is shared through strong relationships. Individuals are more open to hearing what you have to say after they see you live out your beliefs. Look for an oppotunity to invest in the life of someone today.
  • Looking for a way to share the gospel? Serve on a Buckner mission trip either this fall or winter! Check out the missions calendar by clicking here.

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