The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 9:22, "I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some."
From the moment I found everlasting life in Christ, I've lived to reach the lost. In my efforts to reach them I'm aware that I have made myself look like a fool. One way to look dumb is to stand on a soapbox and engage people. That part looks fine, but only if people are listening. If you preach and you don't have any listeners, it looks like you are crazy.
I don't want to look dumber than I am, so I have done some strange things in an effort to get listeners in the hopes that some might be saved. If I could juggle, sing, dance, paint, yodel, or play a guitar, I would...if it would bring in listeners. But it's because I lack natural talent that I have left a trail of failed ideas behind me. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that there have been dozens-from a professional raffle ticket wheel, to a six-foot-tall giant teddy bear, to a $3,000 gorilla suit, to high quality lifelike mannequins.
The one that worked (and has done so for about thirty years) was giving away money. I ask trivia questions such as "What is the capital of France...it begins with 'P' and rhymes with "Aris." When some genius yells back "Paris," I say "That's right!" and give him a crisp dollar bill. Do that sort of thing ten times in two minutes, and you will have yourself a crowd. From there I say, "I have $20 for anyone who thinks they are a good person. I don't want any Christians. I want good people," and it works. I'm okay with those who think it's not spiritual. They can do it their way. And good for them if they do.
In our culture where we uphold looking sophisticated and successful as the highest ideal, there are any number of ways to look like a fool and be noticed. My examples above are more extreme but what about singing a hymn or other uplifting, Christ-glorifying song while shopping or taking an evening stroll in the park? Or how about asking your waiter or waitress at the restaurant if there is something specific you could pray for him or her?
Think of this- You are sitting in a Titanic lifeboat, and there is room enough for more to be saved. You are frantically trying to do everything you can to reach those who are dying. But one by one is nightmarishly slow going. Suddenly, you grab an oar, tie a rope to it, and then throw it as far as you can from the lifeboat. About a dozen people are able to reach out, grab that rope, and have you pull them to safety.
This is what we're about-finding every means necessary to pull as many to safety as possible. When Paul said, "By all means save some," that means by all means.
Despite my failures, I'm still on the lookout for oars and rope in every encounter. And I don't care if it makes me look like a fool. Our feelings are of little consequence in the light of the fate of the lost. Will you join me in looking a fool by any means necessary?
RAY COMFORT is the founder of Living Waters ministry and the best-selling author of more than eighty books. He also co-hosts a TV program with actor Kirk Cameron, which airs in 200 countries.
