I saw him sitting there…the young Asian guy with an earphone
in one ear and head down focusing intently on his cell phone. I quickly looked away. Surely God must have
been instructing me to speak with someone else but where was that person? I
looked around as I walked toward the bus stop where he sat waiting. I even glanced
behind me too almost hoping to see someone else less engaged, someone I thought
seemed more available for conversation.
Confessedly, I felt my steps toward the bus stop starting to slow. I was lost in thought
wondering what might be the right way to use this opportunity to witness since
I felt an overwhelming urge to do so.
Okay, I know.
Some of you will say, “ Shouldn't you always have the urge to
tell someone about Jesus? Is that not our duty as believers, so what’s so hard about this situation?” Still others will say, “Since you feel ‘led’ to share
your faith with him, you definitely need to be obedient!”
SIGH!
“I can do this! I am
not perfect but that is exactly why I need to share with him about Jesus. That
Jesus can love me in spite of my flaws and my insecurities is enough reason for
me to ‘shout Him out’!” I didn't know
what this guy needed but I bet whatever it was that God was still the only Source.
Then came the hard part, how could I get the conversation started? Was I
supposed to ask him if I was the only one who listened to The Light 103.9 FM (the gospel station in NC) and sang out loud even if my windows were down? As I
write this I can’t help but think that he could have been listening to that same
station on his phone (covers face). Was I supposed to just ask if he
was a Christian and just take the conversation from there?
This is the trouble some of us face as Christians, that is,
having confidence in God to give us the right words to say in every situation and
being obedient enough to open our mouths and just say them! We spend too much
time allowing self to get in the way of God’s work as it tries to control,
manage and orchestrate how and when God’s work is to be done rather than just
identifying what God is doing and accepting His invitation to join in.
As the bus pulled up, I realized I had not seized the
opportunity. I could not understand it. I had grown up being involved in tract
ministry, inviting other young people to church and testifying to my belief in
God. What had changed, if anything? I have always been able to speak with my
friends about God and if they know me and still recognize my love and commitment
to God (all the while being an imperfect being) so then what was the reason to be
afraid of a stranger.
I realized (though there was nothing that could excuse my
disobedience) that on many occasions I was in the company of people wanting to
share their faith but their approach was so distasteful that I wouldn't be surprised to learn that many were 'put off' by the encounter.
This experience was enough for me to evaluate myself and how
I share my faith with others.
What experiences have you had with sharing your faith? What
challenges/victories have you had?
Comment below:)
Stay tuned for the next blog post! We will talk about
witnessing and strategies to overcome some of the possible challenges as we
share our faith.
I will leave you with this, “But in your hearts set apart
Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and
respect…"
(1 Peter 3:15 NIV)
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Until next time (smile)
EJ
