The first week of August Sonrise (my church) has a boardwalk ministry. It runs the first week of August annually. We get this really cool spot on the boardwalk right past the amusement rides. Lots of traffic. (We do this in Seaside Heights, NJ)
This week used to be Christian week in Seaside. Alas, over the years Christian week has been declining. There are several reasons for this, first and foremost is society rejecting Christianity. Seaside would rather have “overt” Christians disappear. So, what has happened is organizations that have sponsored Christian week have slowly dried up, and Seaside Heights is not seeking to replace those in support of Christian week.
How did I get into this.... Well, basically this year we were one of three churches on the boardwalk. We hand out bibles and literature. We really are not very “overt”. We are aware that there are opposing forces that would like to see us disappear....and getting in the face of tourists will certainly get us tossed. This summer, a friend of mine was standing in front of the table talking to someone and he was cited for breaking the increasing restrictions put upon boardwalk ministry.
Ok...The Bracelet
The first day this year a youth ministry set up a table. They really had a very attractive display and the booth was “manned“ by youth. To ease their tensions I walked over and shook everyones hand and really tried to make them feel welcomed. It was a hot day, and a girl asks me if I would like to be their first customer and receive one of their bracelets. It is one of the bracelets that are used as a witnessing tool. A piece of string with 5 beads. Gold(yellow) representing heaven and the treasure we have there. Black represents sin and the fall of man. Red represents the Death and resurrection of Jesus. White represents the forgiveness of sin and all we have to do is have a relationship with Jesus. And Green represents us growing in Christ. Through prayer, attending church, reading the bible and sharing with others the Love of God.
Well...the young girl told me about the colors (which of course having been through many youth ministries I already knew) and she put the bracelet together and tied it to my right wrist. It looked okay. However, later on in the afternoon when it began to grow warm, it got very uncomfortable. Really uncomfortable. It was tight, it was itching, it was smelling from my sweat...etc. As I looked at this bracelet I began to think....this is nothing compared to what Jesus did for me. I vowed not to remove it myself. It was a real challenge and several times I came really close. One of the neat things is that this ratty bracelet has drawn attention and I have been able to share about God with this neat little tool.
Three months later...I have this smelly ratty bracelet. I still have not suffered a fraction of Christs pain. It is kind of funny. A week into having the bracelet on, a bead was missing. I laughed to myself, I thought the girl missed a bead and I thought that was cute.
The rope itself is getting really thin. I cannot believe the bracelet is still staying intact. Yesterday, I looked at it and there were only two breads left. White and Green. It came to my attention that the other beads broke off! Ahahh...that is what happened to the firs bead.
So...now I have this silly bracelet and I am waiting to see what happens. I am not so sure it is going to fall off...
It remains a great reminder form myself, everytime I look at it...I think of Christ... What great thoughts I have....