Evangelism

Evangelism. What do you think of? I used to think of street preaching, of shoving my beliefs down someone else’s throat, annoying people who didn’t want to hear it. It used to really scare me. It’s something I’ve definitely been learning in the past year. It still does sometimes, but it is so awesome! I think what I like about it the most is all I have to do is share what God’s done in my life… to share his love… to listen to other people’s stories and beliefs.

Last May, when I was in Byron Bay, I was terrified of evangelism. I didn’t even agree with it. I thought of all the encounters I’ve had with crazy street preachers and the bad taste it had left in my mouth. How can that spread Christ’s love? Last year when I went to Nimbin, the drug capital of Australia, for evangelism day I refused to talk to anyone. I was afraid of getting questions to which I didn’t know the answers. I was afraid of these people who have had many spiritual experiences and encounters. I wasn’t about to tell them that they had to believe what I believed. Going back to Nimbin yesterday made me realize how much I’d changed, how much God has moved in my life, my perspective had completely shifted. I am so much more solid in my faith now. I am confident about the Lord of my life. I no longer worry about inconveniencing people, because I want to share God’s love with them.. I want everyone to experience the love and freedom that I have received from God. I used to be a relativist… thinking each person had their own beliefs and that was cool, but that’s not good enough anymore. I know that Jesus is real. I’ve seen evidence of that in my life… I’ve seen miracles, healings, I’ve heard His voice, I’ve felt unspeakable joy and peace that could only be from Him… I know with every inch of my being He is real. Many people would say that that’s great… that they’re glad I’m happy with my beliefs but that they’ve found their own way. I still don’t want to push people, I’m not going to force anything, after all, God has given each of us free will… if people aren’t ready to accept His love, that is completely within their rights. But I know that what I believe is TRUTH. In the Bible, Jesus says “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through me.”—John 14:6. All I can do is share what I’ve found and let the Holy Spirit take care of the rest. I’m not trying to make converts, I’m merely a vessel for the Holy Spirit to talk through me… it’s His responsibility to move through and convict people. All I can do is pray and seek his will for me.. for what he wants me to share each day. I need to listen to people’s hearts and pray for the Holy Spirit to give me the words to get through to people, for them to feel God’s love and heart clearly.

Yesterday in Nimbin was so encouraging… all I want to do is have conversations with people…. I have an obligation to share what God’s done in my life. I have been freed! I can’t contain my enthusiasm, my excitement of my love for Christ. In Matthew God commands us to go out and preach the gospel. It’s not scary anymore. I shouldn’t be sorry for what I’m sharing, for wanting to talk to people about this. Jesus is the best thing that ever happened to me, I should want to tell every single person about it! Sharing excitement is natural… when someone gets a job, a sweet new car, good grades, whatever it may be, they are excited! They want to share and celebrate it. This is the same… but the excitement never really fades. God is always with me. You can never finish growing or experiencing his love in new ways. There is a refreshment and new excitement in relationship with God every single day! I can’t share enough! I want every single person to experience God’s love, joy, mercy, forgiveness!! As long as I’m alive, I want to share this love… I don’t want to keep this love for myself! How can I? If I love people at all, I will share it! If I’m rejected, I can still rest in His love. I know He’ll bless me for sharing… for stepping out of my fear of man. Hello evangelism… thank you Lord for giving me a heart for sharing your name!