Connecting without Fear
Most Christians at some point in their lives have experienced fear and guilt at the very thought of evangelism. Guilt comes from the often held view that others will go to hell because the Christian has failed to witness to the people around them. There are many causes for our fear. We fear a bad reaction from the people we talk to. We are afraid we won't give a good presentation of all of the gospel message.
My husband has been a pastor since 1976. Over the years we have discussed these issues many times. One of most important things every Christian should remember is who they are in God's plan of redemption. I have a brother and a son who love fishing. Often I have been amazed at the many times one or the other would come back with nothing but stories about the ones that got away. In spite of their failures they expressed a great pleasure in what seemed like a nonproductive activity. Recently I heard someone express that fishing is called that for a reason. It is not called catching. Jesus asks his disciples to be fishers of men not catchers. God is the one who does the "catching".
Evangelism takes many forms. There might be times when street corner preaching or approaching some stranger with a tract could be appropriate. Most of us might find that difficult and awkward to do. Perhaps we should look at what is already a part of our lives. Are there connections in our lives that we aren't developing as we look at ways that may seem more dramatic and more highlighted? What if we started listening to the neighbor working in his yard or the man who walks his dog each day at the same time? Instead of chatting about the news what if we asked our hairstylist about her life.? There are innumerable ways we can grow in how we connect with others if we listen well, ask the right questions, pray and have patience.
How will I know that I've said everything I need to? I may not have the opportunity to say it all. Since God is the one in control He can choose to have a number of people talk to someone, sometimes repeating what others have said, sometimes filling in what hasn't been revealed before. The gospel message has been at the center of all that God does. The author and creator of the story is the one who brings the grand narrative to fruition. We do not have to fear that any of those that are part of his story will be left out. God never fails and he takes care of our failures.
I need to remind myself that witnessing can be very simple. I need to know the truth of redemption through Christ. I need to follow the leading of Psalm 107:2 "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so whom He has redeemed from trouble." I need to open my eyes to those around me and use the opportunities God gives me as I build relationships, I must always remember the results are in God's hands.
My husband has been a pastor since 1976. Over the years we have discussed these issues many times. One of most important things every Christian should remember is who they are in God's plan of redemption. I have a brother and a son who love fishing. Often I have been amazed at the many times one or the other would come back with nothing but stories about the ones that got away. In spite of their failures they expressed a great pleasure in what seemed like a nonproductive activity. Recently I heard someone express that fishing is called that for a reason. It is not called catching. Jesus asks his disciples to be fishers of men not catchers. God is the one who does the "catching".
Evangelism takes many forms. There might be times when street corner preaching or approaching some stranger with a tract could be appropriate. Most of us might find that difficult and awkward to do. Perhaps we should look at what is already a part of our lives. Are there connections in our lives that we aren't developing as we look at ways that may seem more dramatic and more highlighted? What if we started listening to the neighbor working in his yard or the man who walks his dog each day at the same time? Instead of chatting about the news what if we asked our hairstylist about her life.? There are innumerable ways we can grow in how we connect with others if we listen well, ask the right questions, pray and have patience.
How will I know that I've said everything I need to? I may not have the opportunity to say it all. Since God is the one in control He can choose to have a number of people talk to someone, sometimes repeating what others have said, sometimes filling in what hasn't been revealed before. The gospel message has been at the center of all that God does. The author and creator of the story is the one who brings the grand narrative to fruition. We do not have to fear that any of those that are part of his story will be left out. God never fails and he takes care of our failures.
I need to remind myself that witnessing can be very simple. I need to know the truth of redemption through Christ. I need to follow the leading of Psalm 107:2 "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so whom He has redeemed from trouble." I need to open my eyes to those around me and use the opportunities God gives me as I build relationships, I must always remember the results are in God's hands.
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