As I walk into new seasons of life, the Lord tends to give me words to focus and reflect on going forward. For the majority of my last year, the word was “trust”. During my time at training camp, I got the word, “BOLD”.
Now, the Gospel mission has become a passion of mine. I desire more than anything to see the unreached become reached and to share the good news of Jesus with anyone who will listen. However, I do best in teaching environments, or in already-established conversations. When I feel led to speak to someone on the street or in a bus or in a train, I struggle.
That doesn’t mean that I haven’t been able to have these conversations or that I won’t in the future. Regardless of having the gift of evangelism, everyone who has the Holy Spirit can evangelize. Why? Because the source of all gifts IS the Holy Spirit. He is enough and can empower us to walk in all the gifts as He wills.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8
Despite knowing this, I have become really good at making excuses. I see someone, feel prompted to share God’s love in some way, and then I go into this conversation in my brain that conveniently lasts long enough for me to lose my chance and continue walking.
“Okay God, do you really want me to talk to this person?”
“Is it yes or no?”
“What if I say the wrong thing?”
“God, is this you or is this my imagination?”
Different versions of the same conversation play out in my mind. Sometimes I do go and speak to the person, but other times (admittedly, most of the time) I choose to get so involved with what’s going on in my mind that eventually the moment ends.
“The He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” – Matt. 9:37-38
God addressed this habit of mine while I was at training camp. Our teams were preparing to go out into neighborhoods and evangelize, but before leaving, they heard a talk on evangelism. In the talk, the speaker brought up a story from racers on the field:
These racers were given bottles of water to go out and share with people they encounter on the road. As one girl was walking, she saw a person with special needs, a population of people she specifically has a heart for. Because of her heart for this person, she thought that surely this must be the person that God wanted her to go and speak to. But as she was walking towards that person, she heard the Holy Spirit say, “no”. She was confused, but obeyed. She kept walking and she ended up giving the water bottle to someone else. When everyone came back together to share stories, it turns out that the Lord was asking another person on the squad to speak to that person and love them. Both of them had a great testimony to share. The Lord had a purpose and plan and a specific person in mind to encounter that person on the street.
(This is me doing my best to retell the story, some details are iffy but the “no” and the results of it were what got my attention)
So, what did I learn from this story? Well first, it amazed me that this girl would walk straight for this person on the street, without having that long internal conversation that I always have with myself. Secondly, God specifically told this girl, “no.” As I considered that, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, “It’s always yes until I say no.”
“‘My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,’ says the Lord Almighty.” – Mal. 1:11
“It’s always yes until I say no.”
What?! You’re telling me that I don’t have to go through the same conversation with you over and over in my mind every time I see someone I can share with. You’re telling me that you go before me? That you are with me and will speak to me what to do and say in the moment? That you want every person to come to know you and that if the answer is “no” in the moment, it’s because you have a better “yes” in store for me and for that person?
Well… yeah!
“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” – Luke 12:11-12
I was hit with truth so hard in that moment. And I want to share it with my fellow evangelists who don’t realize that they’re evangelists yet. I haven’t had any “on the street” moments since training camp, but God has shown up in my conversations with people. Sometimes I would feel led to share something that doesn’t make sense in the moment, but then I would get confirmation from that person that it was what they needed to hear and that God spoke to them through those words. And that’s how easy it is! It has nothing to do with me or my ability. It has nothing to do with my eloquence or my specific words.
It has everything to do with the Holy Spirit that dwells in me.
“By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35
So, whether it’s in an encounter on the street, a letter you write to someone, a smile you give, a conversation you have with a friend, or an amount of change you have in your pocket to give to that person on the side of the road… GOD IS WITH YOU. He is speaking to you and empowering you. Of course, all things are to be done in wisdom, but I’ve realized that God is in fact seeking out EVERY person we see. His word says so, and his Holy Spirit will guide us as we walk out the Great Commission in our lives.
At first I was scared of the word, “bold”. But now, I know it’s not my boldness, but the Lord’s that He intends to impart. I’m writing this blog as an encouragement to my friends and family and as a reminder to myself as I walk through this next season.
I have a feeling that this lesson on boldness was just a preview of what else he has in store.
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” – 2 Tim. 1:6-12
All that being said, may I be so BOLD as to ask for your partnership to bring the gospel to the nations? In order to go out again, I have to raise $5100. If you would like to join my team, just click the “donate” button at the top of the page and fill out the following form.
Thanks for reading!
