How to Share Your Faith Using the Crocodile Hunter
The tragic and sudden death of Steve Irwin last week shocked and saddened the millions of fans who were fascinated by the beloved Crocodile Hunter. Irwin was killed by a freak encounter with a stingray, when its poisonous tail barb pierced his heart. He was filming for a TV series called Ocean's Deadliest on the Great Barrier Reef when the encounter with the stingray turned fatal.
There was a lot to love about Steve Irwin's dynamic personality, unbridled enthusiasm for wildlife preservation and passion for living on the edge. His life was a monument to living out what you are passionate about! And sadly his sudden, tragic death was a reminder that we never know when our time on earth will come to an abrupt end. It reminds us that we want to make every day count toward the purposes we were put on earth for!
The Bible challenges us to live our lives with purpose and passion, wholeheartedly for the Lord. Ephesians 5:17 says,
"Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants." (The Message)
Do you understand what the Master wants? He wants you, he wants your life. He wants your gifts and talents, he wants your passion. He wants them used for his glory and his kingdom of light! He wants you to use all of those things to let others know about him! Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:18, "God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others." (Contemporary English Version)
So as you talk with friends about the sad reality of the Crocodile Hunter's sudden death, use it to do what God's called you to be about...introduce your friends to God's grace and Jesus' gift. Here are some conversation starters to get you launched.
- Ask your friends if they are scared when they think of death. What do they believe will happen when they die? Share what you believe.
- Do your friends have the confidence of knowing that they will be with Jesus when they die, whether their death comes suddenly and tragically, like the Crocodile Hunter's did, or whether it comes after years of long life? This could lead to a discussion of what it takes to get into heaven.
- Find out what your friends think the purpose of life really is. Do they understand that they have been designed for the purpose of being in a deep, meaningful relationship with God? Do they realize he is longing to draw them to himself in love and forgiveness?
Whenever someone dies unexpectedly, it pulls us up short and makes us think about what's really important in life. Make sure you understand what the Master wants from you and do it. Live doing what you love and what the Master has called you to!
