This month after training camp has been my introduction to witnessing in the mission field. The fact is, we often don’t realize that home really is a mission field… People here in the United States need to hear about Jesus just as much as communities in Mozambique and prostitutes in Thailand. No matter where they are, the lost need to see how much God loves them.
I have been on several mission trips out of the country, but it wasn’t until I started looking at my home as a mission field that I realized the importance of witnessing to people OUT LOUD. Growing up, I knew several things were true, but I used them as an excuse to stay silent, twisting the meaning behind them just enough to keep me in my comfort zone.
1. I knew we could witness through our actions. Of course, one of the greatest witnessing tools is to just live out what God has called us to do and to be: “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. People see God’s love in us through our love to one another…. “Actions speak louder than words,” right? I took this as an excuse to keep my mouth shut and let my actions speak for themselves.
2. I knew we shouldn’t preach at people. People will not be prone to listen to you if you shove your beliefs down their throat, (even when you know they are true). For fear of going too far, for fear of pushing the truth on someone to the point that they push themselves away, I backed off entirely, never even discussing my beliefs unless someone asked about them.
But now I’m realizing something…. People need to HEAR about Jesus. Yes, our actions should be witness to God’s love, but it shouldn’t replace verbally sharing what God has revealed to us. No, we shouldn’t “preach” at people, but we can’t let fear hold us back, whether it is a fear of pushing faith on someone who doesn’t desire it, fear of mocking and derision or fear of simply screwing it up, much like Moses and his lisping tongue. Where the Holy Spirit sends God’s word, we can’t screw it up, no matter how hard we try! He promises!!! “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11.
Instead, our mouths should be aching to share what God is doing in our lives and to tell the world about God’s love. I realized I should not be looking for excuses to stay quiet, I need to be looking for excuses to bring it up! As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:16: “Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” Let that be the cry of our hearts, one of sadness if we do not seize every opportunity to talk about our Savior.
