What a privilege it is to understand and be understood when in conversation.
i never realized how much i took for granted being around people i could freely speak with. It’s so simple to ask someone a question or inquire about a certain topic or even talk to people about Jesus when you speak the same language because they understand you and equally, you understand them. Can i say how incredibly frustrating it is, to see someone and want to share a message you know can change their life and can’t because of a language barrier. How much have i taken for granted being around people that i know can understand me and yet i don’t say anything because of some excuse i’ve made up in my head like, “i don’t feel like it,” or “i’m scared and i don’t know what they’ll say or how they’ll respond.”
And now i find myself walking around people that i neither understand and they don’t understand me and yet my goal is to tell them about Jesus.
Being a missionary is not an ‘occupation’ or just something you decide to do, it’s a required lifestyle for every single person that calls themselves a Christ follower. It’s crazy how now because i’m a “missionary” i decide there is more of an urgency to preach the Gospel to the people around me; However, before, did i not understand as soon as i pronounced Jesus Christ, L-rd of my life, that made me a full time missionary wherever i go and to whomever G-d leads me to speak with?
i am blown away, looking back at how many times i found myself, deep in complacency, just going to church, hanging out with the Christian friends, and you know, “trying to act like Jesus”, yet not sharing Jesus with hardly anyone, if anyone.
It doesn’t matter if you are in America or the middle of Africa or the jungles of Thailand, people need to hear about Jesus and as a Christian, it’s our responsibility to tell them.
Jesus is a pretty cool dude, so why aren’t we talking about Him?
Let me give you a circumstance. Let’s say your walking down the street and there’s some person you come across and you have the option to strike up conversation. You do and it starts out pretty normal, the “Hi’s, how are you’s, Ya live around here?” kind of stuff and you can make the decision to some how bring up Jesus either abruptly or slowly in. The question is do you? I feel like a lot of times, we catch ourselves saying, “Eh, that’s kind of awkward. i don’t like doing stuff like that.” But can i challenge you for a second? If Jesus Christ has really changed your life and you really believe in a Heaven and a Hell and that people either go to one or the other, what makes anything about that conversation awkward? By you simply sharing about Jesus, even just a little bit, could determine a shift in their eternity, Heaven or Hell, period.
i know sometimes situations can feel awkward or we get this idea, we don’t want to offend anyone, but their eternity could be dependent upon you saying something.
i don’t know about you, but i’m sitting here feeling pretty convicted as i write this and i find myself saying, “Gosh, i gotta step it up. There are a lot of people going to Hell and what am i doing about it?” Your not alone in this struggle, but it’s time we punch fear or better known as satan, the author of lies in the face and remind him he has no power to determine anyones eternity by keeping us quiet.
And to encourage you, looking back, there is not one time i have ever regretted sharing Jesus with someone, but what i have regretted was every time i didn’t.
Start sharing Jesus, no regrets, it’ll be the best thing you ever do.
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.”
[Ezekiel 33:7-9]
