This might be trivial from your view point. But this is something I struggle with. Its a two fold problem really.

First I find it awkward to work this into conversation, sharing the Gospel that is. If you know me, I’m pretty reserved and quiet. I like observing, and coming away with thoughts. There usually negative ones on how I don’t want to be like that particular person or situation. I can’t say I have the gift of gab, and when I do, its a rarity. I have gotten better I think in this ‘weakness’, but I still have room to grow and improve. Often I feel there are times I really don’t have a opportunity to work in sharing the gospel. I guess a lot of times I don’t ask for it either (which probably is the problem). When I have had the opportunity to share, its been awesome and those few times I remember clearly. I also seem to hang out with “people who believe” a lot too. I currently work for a believer owned company (very few employees), I go to church, all my friends go to church, and don’t have much interaction outside of that. Which - totally is my fault - I could do better. But I feel I can improve all around in this area.

Second, I struggle with people who I over hear, or speak to me and are like “Oh I just got to witness to this guy or this girl” or “I witnessed to so and so this morning”, etc. Like there mouth is pouring out only the gospel when they speak to people.

Thats really not me. Its not who I am. I’d rather be the guy in the background, providing the support in to those presenting the gospel. In some sense I feel guilt, shame and laziness when I hear these testimonies. These are probably fair feelings.

Something stuck with me this past Sunday that Pastor Chris, from Mt. View Chapel, was speaking on. He was speaking on God’s grace covering beyond what we can comprehend or understand in His ability to save people (babies that die at birth, mentally retarded people, etc). We think either God is or isn’t capable of saving these people, and we come up with silly idea’s thinking we’ve got it figured out. Later in the message He used an example from the new movie Prince Caspian. There is a character who does not believe Aslan the lion exsists and thinks that he is simply a myth. At the end of the movie Aslan shows up, and one of the children says to this particular character “Do you see him now?”, Wow.

So often I think were driven to make converts. Were driven to make sure people got their ticket, so they can hang with us in Heaven. All we really should be doing is showing Christ. Sharing is all we can do, We plant, God grows and changes hearts. God then gives us the ability to come alongside and disciple these people and help them grow into who they are in Christ (which a lot of times we drop the ball on.)

For me this provides some comfort to my soul knowing that I don’t have to be this super hero, gospel sharing, bible carrying guy, I don’t have to live up to this expectation. I think the most effective way is to be who God has made us, each has our own gifts, abilities and talents. You might be the A/V guy, janitor, sunday school teacher, pastor, the lawyer, the school teacher, police officer, etc - each role is equally important in the kingdom of God - this is the church, this is what were supposed to be, and what were supposed to do. I want to be sure that where I am at, and the abilities I’ve been given are SHOWING Christ to the people that I come in contact with, asking and being aware of opportunities that God has given me.

Tags: authenticity, Confessions, transparent

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