Crazy Talk!

It is well documented that public speaking is one of the greatest personal fears people have. Combine that with talking about our faith and you have one real winner of a church program. It’s no wonder that people go running for the doors when we begin talk about evangelism at church. Too many people have this crazy idea that evangelism means they have to stand on the table in their lunch room and tell everyone they are going to hell unless they come to church with them the next week. Now it might be interesting to see what kind of response you get, but that is not at all what we are talking about when we lift up Sharing God’s Story as an element of our living faith.

Fundamentally, to share is not forcing something. To share means to offer something you love to others who you think will like it just as much as you do. To share means to give up a really good thing you normally would keep, but see that others need. To “Share God’s Story” is to bless someone with the blessing you have and know. So when we are talking about evangelism, we are talking about sharing that very thing people are already looking for.

God has been active in our lives giving us strength, peace, hope, and love. These are amazing gifts that all people long for but rarely find. People can often see in us what they long for, and hope for themselves. When we share God’s story we are simply sharing the very thing that gives us joy. Scripture tells us;

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15b

Sharing God’s story is not convincing someone, it is not converting someone; it is giving them a glimpse of the light that is within you and what brings you hope. If you have any encouragement, any strength from your relationship with God, then share that with those you see who are adrift in their life. Then God will do the rest.