What ground are you standing on?
In Africa it was easy to stand your ground. Many because no one challenged it. Instead people flocked to you. Grasping at every word and anxiously waiting for what’s to come. On Sunday the church crowd was larger than normal. Every other day, no matter where you went you drew a crowd.
It was a humbling experience. Yes, there are many factors that go into the reason why we drew a crowd but nonetheless a crowd formed. You could say pretty much anything under the sun and you would be accepted. Granted all we spoke of pointed towards Jesus, the Gospel, and how our lives have been forever changed. No one pushed back or turned a deaf ear to the message we brought.
Here in Europe it is a slightly different story. The message we bring is the same but the outward acceptance is vastly different. Crowds don’t form at our presence. In fact, most of the time people turn and leave. I was preaching the Gospel mid way through an Estonian Christian concert and sure enough 8 or so (about half the crowd) people just got up and walked out. Who knows why, but it happened….staying focused on the message is highly challenging when you witness such a movement. I kept going knowing its my responsibility to be obedient to the message Jesus laid on my heart to share, and He will speak to the heart of the people.
Then you engage in one on one or small group discussions and start to get at the root of the matter. You share your testimony, you share God stories, you share what God has done in specific areas of your life. Just pour out everything and try to relate it to their lives. Opposition comes, waves of disbelief, rain of skepticism, and streams of other alternatives. Before you know it an all out attack on your faith is under way. Different view points of afterlife, reasons to live for now, and ideas that aren’t center around God. It gets crazy, theological, and deep real fast.
After experiencing this several times, God reminded me of “The Wise and Foolish Builders” parable found in Matthew 7:24-29. Where have I built my foundation? On a rock or in the sand. The waters here are rising, the storms are blowing in, and we are still standing. God firmly reminded me of His promises and its only through Him can someone be saved. That I need to stay rooted in His word daily, drawing upon Him constantly to lead me through conversations, and for Him to be my strength!
This is a powerful ministry as we continue to love on people unconditionally. As God leads us in these conversations to draw people closer to Him. Because when we come across someone open to the Gospel, open to knowing more about what Christianity truly is….everything changes. You can physically see their shoulders relax, you can see joy wash over their face, you can see them start to realize this is what they have been longing for.
Be Bold in sharing your faith!
Be Intentional to spend time in the Word of God!
