I’m sure you’ve heard it said before… and maybe you’ve even reposted the saying, scribbled neatly in modern calligraphy and surrounded by flowers… “Preach the Gospel always. If necessary, use words.”
But can I offer some truth?
Unpopular opinion, I know…
This theology isn’t only inaccurate, but it is dangerous. Words aren’t just necessary, there are absolutely critical in understanding the foundation of the Gospel. Yes, we can strive for our lives to reflect that of our Savior… However, my life’s example will only leave people disappointed and confused. Jesus’ words offer unrelenting truth and consistency in a world desperate for assurance.
We were already out in the mountains when we received a call about a lady named Brenda needing urgent help. Tears immediately flowed when I saw her picture. Because she was an adult, she didn’t meet the demographic to be admitted to St Luke’s, but there was no way we were leaving her where she was.
When we arrived, I scooped up her frail body and got her settled. The roads were nearly washed out from recent rain storms, and we felt every bump, pot hole, and ravine in the back of the ambulance. At one point, I put my arms around her to keep her from falling and felt one of her ribs crack from my embrace. She was fragile, but she was a fighter.
Once we were on smoother roads, she explained to me how her husband abandoned her once she fell ill. No home, no money, and no food, she had been left to die. Her story had other painful details, so I just held her hand and listened.
Somewhere in the middle of feeling like I had nothing to say and feeling like I needed to just say something, I muttered a painful truth. “Listen… you are very sick and I’m not sure how much we can help… but we are going to try, we are going to fight for you.” And through this, our conversation turned to The Lord and how He fights for us. He restores us. He brings hope. A beautiful, lifesaving truth.
Brenda ended up passing away on Sunday, and I felt defeated knowing she was just too sick and we were too late. But my soul finds rest in knowing that she is with The Lord. How painfully different this could have been if she had placed her faith in the way I live my life instead of the actual words of The Gospel. I fail so hard daily, and while I may have moments where my life and my love display good fruit, it pales in comparison to the goodness, love, and mercy of God. It is simply unequivalent.
Sweet Brenda, thank you for this important reminder. While this world didn’t have much to offer you, I know you are now in a place that is far better than any word could ever describe. You were so loved for the few days we know you.
You are loved.
-Whitney
More of Brenda’s pictures. I will warn you, they are graphic… but she did give me permission to share them so that others may be aware of the desperate need we see here daily.
Brenda celebrating her birthday 
with our staff at Hope of Life’s asilo.
Thank you for this, Whitney! I grieve with you over Brenda’s passing, but Thank God! you had the courage and insight to share verbally the Good News of Jesus Christ with her before she died. I agree with your thinking about the prayer (normally attributed to St. Francis of Assisi) about “sometimes using words.” It is terrible theology. I cringe every time I hear it. I’ve even heard pastors share it. How terrilbe! God calls us, even commands us, to open our mouths and use words in sharing the Gospel. Consider Romans 10.14-15, 17. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the words of Jesus; not simply by “observing” another person’s good behavior. Nobody ever got saved by being inspired over someone’s selfless act. A beautiful sunrise or someone’s selfless behavior can reveal much to us about the glory of God. It’s what we call “general revelation.” Check out Ps 19.1-6. But General Revelation does not tell us a thing about Jesus, about His death on a cross and His glorious resurrection, about our need for forgiveness, about God’s great covenant promise to forgive our sins and give us eternal life when we repent and ask Jesus to come into our heart as Savior and Lord. All that happens after we open our mouths and verbally share the Good News with someone. It’s what you did with Brenda. And now you can rejoice that another soul has found her way home to Jesus. You keep sharing verbally. The Lord bless you! What beautiful feet you have! Misty and I are proud to stand with you, Bryan and little John!