Do you?
When my team and I arrived in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (the 2nd largest city in Zim) two weeks ago, we had yet to evangelize to strangers on the streets. In South Africa, we definitely served the Lord, but through service tasks instead of through preaching & evangelizing. We served soup, painted walls, taught piano lessons, and counseled at a kids’ camp, among other wonderful ministries. However, I came to Zimbabwe with no experience of preaching the Gospel to unbelievers.
On day one at Burke’s Paradise (our home for the month; a backpacker’s hostel run by the lovely Burke family), we received an overview of our ministry. I clung to the words, “evangelism” and “preaching”, because they made me *slightly* anxious. I felt overwhelmed at the thought of being thrown in front of hundreds of kids to preach the Gospel. Not only am I an introvert with almost no public speaking experience, but I felt inadequate in my faith. I accepted Jesus only a few years ago. Who am I to preach to these people? I have only a fraction of the Bible knowledge I hope to have someday. How will I know what to say? I will stare blankly at the faces of thirsty non-believers if they ask me questions about my faith.
Doubts and questions like these circled my mind when I thought of the possibility of having to share the Gospel. The enemy magnified my weaknesses because he knew there was a possibility I could build the Kingdom.
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”.
2 Timothy 1:7
When the enemy attacks your mind with lies, correct him with the Truth God has so kindly gifted us through His Word.
The day after that conversation, I was thrown in front of a classroom full with 30 seventh graders, expected to lead a morning Bible study. Luckily I had my lovely teammate, Liesl, tag-teaming with me. I laughed when I realized what God was doing. He lead me to pray the verse above over the students, asking that God would rid them of anxiety before their examinations. I included myself in that prayer. I think I needed it more than them. God has a great sense of humor.
We left the classroom and walked outside to find Vicki (our host mom) preaching the Gospel to 100 fifth graders. She used her famous “trash bag & robe of Righteousness” illustration to show the kids our desperate need for Jesus. Let me illustrate it to you as well:
“Can I have two volunteers, please?”
*Sally and Bob walk onto stage*
*Vicki dresses Sally in a black trash bag and Bob in a white bathrobe*
“Sally, do you know where you’re going when you die?”
“Yes, Heaven”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’m a good person”
“Hm. Have you ever lied?”
“Yes…”
*places “liar” sticker on trash bag*
“That means you’re a liar. The Bible tells us never to lie (Leviticus 19:11). Have you ever stolen anything? Even something as small as a piece of candy?”
“Yes…”
*places “thief” sticker on trash bag*
“It looks like you’re a thief as well. The 8th commandment says, ‘Thou shall not steal’. Have you ever disobeyed your father or mother?”
“Yes…”
*places “disobedient” sticker on trash bag*
“That makes you a disobedient daughter. The 5th commandment tells us to, ‘Honor your father and mother.”
*continues to reveal other sins she has committed*
“Sally, do you still think you’re a good person?”
*audience laughs and points at Sally because she’s covered in labels exposing her sinful nature*
“No…”
“Neither are any of us. We are all sinful people by default. When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge and evil, they cursed every generation to come. This means that every day until we die we will sin. We are broken people. We are in need of a perfect Savior. The Bible tells us that God is perfect. Sin cannot touch Him. He has no faults. Let’s take a look at Bob. Can anyone give me some characteristics of Jesus?”
“Joy!”
“Holy!”
“Peace!”
“Heaven!”
“Kind!”
“Gentle!”
“Love!”
“Perfect!”
“Absolutely. Jesus is all of those wonderful things. We need Him to get to Heaven. In God’s graciousness, He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to live a perfect life here on Earth, and then to die a horrific death on the cross to take our ugly sins – like lying, stealing, blasphemy, idolatry, and disobedience – Himself to pay the price we all deserve so we can have eternal relationship with our Father in Heaven. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. God sent Jesus to take the punishment of sin for us. That’s how much He loves us. God gave us a way to Heaven. The only way to be with God when we die is to accept the gift of salvation that Jesus gave all of us. And guess what? It’s a free gift! All we need to do is ask Jesus to forgive us of our sins and He will live in our hearts forever. Isn’t that awesome?”
*takes the robe of Righteousness off of Bob (Jesus) and trades it with the trash bag that Sally was wearing*
“Jesus takes all of our trash in exchange for his robe of Righteousness. When we accept what Jesus did for us, he gives us all of the joy, peace, kindness, love, and holiness that He is through Holy Spirit who He sends to live inside of us. Every day He makes us more like Him. He takes our old selves and makes us new in Him! He is such a good Father. Who would like to accept Jesus into their hearts today?”
*several hands shoot up in the air*
Hallelujah. The beauty of the Gospel. The simplicity. The childlike faith and yearning for a relationship with the One who created us all.
Vicki makes it look so easy. She overflows with love. She knows how good our Daddy is and she longs for every man, woman, boy, and girl to know Him the way she does. She is my inspiration. She has been an integral part in gaining the confidence and boldness in my faith that I have craved for so long.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”
John 14:26
She has taught me to rely on the Holy Spirit. When I’m asked to preach the Gospel five minutes before I hop on stage, I’ve learned to ask the Holy Spirit to give me the words to say. When I’m asked to pray for the group, I ask the Holy Spirit to speak through me. When I’m dropped off in the middle of a chaotic marketplace, I ask the Holy Spirit to lead me to the people He wants me to pray for. Holy Spirit is my Counsellor, my Guide, my Teacher, my Peace, my Comfort, my Wisdom, and my Joy among many other things. This month has me wondering how I made it through life previously without paying much attention to Him.
Vicki has no problem asking the cashier at a shop if he knows where he’s going when he dies. Taken aback, he says, “of course, Heaven”. She makes him think twice. “Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” He shakes his head. After sharing the Truth of the Gospel so gently yet urgently, he undoubtedly gives his life to the Lord.
I want to partner with God in building cities in Heaven. I want to see every single lost person on this Earth found in the arms of the Father. It hurts my heart to think that there are people living apart from Him. Like my dad did. It pains me to think where he could be right now. That thought alone lights a fire so wild in my soul that I can’t contain it enough to hide it. I WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW WHO JESUS IS AND THE GREATER LIFE HE HAS IN STORE FOR THEM.
I’m on fire for Jesus. No one can stop me. Get out of my way, Satan! I’ve come to take back your prisoners and release them into the arms of their loving Father. You have no power in the presence of the Lord. Jesus, have Your way.
Xoxo,
Allison
