"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature."  - Mark 16:15

He handed me a list and said simply, "Go contact these people."  At the top of the list were specific instructions about what I was to share with them.  Its words lept off the page, "Preach the gospel."

I realized that this list was a record of the people that Jesus wanted me to witness to.  He had specific people that He wanted me to tell about forgiveness by grace through faith in Him. 

I quickly browsed through the names that were listed on the pages.  Many of them I immediately recognized, while others I didn't know at all.  I intended to get to each of them throughout my day.

But, I got busy doing all the stuff that goes on in my daily routine, and I forgot all about the list of contacts.

Later, I saw the list sitting there where I had left it.  A small voice in my mind said, "Now is the time to contact the person at the top of the list."

And I really meant to do it, but something else came up.  I sat the list aside and didn't notice it again for about a week.

When I picked up the list again, I noticed that it had changed.  It wasn't nearly as long as it had been before. I was kind of confused about it and decided to pray to the Lord and ask Him why the list was shorter.

"Lord Jesus, I noticed that you no longer are asking me to contact several people that were once on the list.  Why has the list changed?  Why have names been removed?"

His answer broke my heart.

"The list has grown shorter because you have missed your opportunity to share the Gospel with those who have been removed."

"You see, you will never again see some of those people on the list.  They were strangers in the grocery store line and visitors at your place of employment and children at the park.  You'll never see them again."

And with tears in His eyes, He said softly, "And some of those on your list have died.  They'll never have another chance to obtain eternal life in heaven."

Don't think you can make a difference, Christian? Don't think it's important that you take every opportunity that the Holy Spirit prompts you to share the Gospel?

There is a list of people that YOU are supposed to contact.  There is a list of people that YOU are supposed to share the Gospel with and tell them about the free gift that Jesus Christ offers.

And everyday that list gets shorter.  It either gets shorter because you have done as you were supposed to and shared the Gospel with them...

...or it is because you missed the opportunity to tell them about salvation.

God is serious about Mark 16:15.  He wants us to "Go." He wants us to "Preach the Gospel."  And He has a list of people that only you and I can reach for Him.

Will we answer the call?  Or put the list aside for later?

When that list grows shorter today, may it be because we were faithful to tell others about Jesus.