Certainly The Lord opening an opportunity is a priority. Though sometimes, it seems like He places us in situations and expects us to sieze, even BY HIS SPIRIT, HELP CREATE an opportunity rather than wait for Him to
HIT US OVER THE HEAD WITH IT
or throw a needy child or person literally
IN OUR LAPS.
However, as the closeness of His coming and the wrap-up of the era races toward us . . .
I feel increasingly compelled to reach
OUTSIDE
my sensibilities, my comfort zone and my habits . . . to engage those in line at Walmart or the waiter at the restaurant etc. in whatever conversation may afford an opportunity to say something redemptive and pointing to Christ.
I am skeptical that on the other side, Jesus will pat me on the head and say to me . . .
"Yes, there, there, I understand that you didn't see yourself gifted in evangelism. You were right to leave it all to the professional evangelists. Those missing the boat to Heaven for whom you were the only brief glimmer of light in their lives--no big deal. Your Heavenly abode will muffle their hell-bound cries quite well."
I don't think I'll hear:
"Yeah, you were right to walk on by the other side with the publican and leave them in their misery. Not your affair. What's hell compared to the paragon priorities of personal sensiblities and decorum!"
I hear instead . . . much more frequently the . . .
"Go ye into byways and hedges and compell them, implore them to come in!"
Maybe it is only a
"Your little boy seems tired. Can I help you carry your things to your car? May The Lord bless you with patience and resilience. And may a good nap catch up with both of you as soon as workable!"
or
"I see you're stocking up. That's sure a wise thing to do in these END TIMES with Jesus coming soon!"
or
"You look weary. Is there something I can pray for in your life and family?"
or
"You seem to be struggling with many things. Is there a particular struggle you'd like me to pray most for?"
or
"You look like your last dog died. How can I comfort and pray for you, briefly?"
or
"Your eyes and face seem to say you're really struggling these days. I'm very familiar with that level of suffering. The only solution I ever found was to burrow deeper into the arms of Jesus--to lay myself repeatedly at His feet, on His altar and cry out to Him for His comfort, mercy and help.
or even such as
"AS I've watched you and prayed for you just now, I felt in my heart and spirit that you are headed for a deeper and deeper ditch and greatly more pain than you are already in. I hope you turn around as soon as possible. If you want to talk about it, You can reach me at this number or find me at this church most Sunday mornings at 10:30."
Sometimes we need 'God with skin on' as the little boy said. There's some loving accepting people at our church that meets at . . . "
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I don't think evangelism requires much more than the HEART OF JESUS within our heart reaching out warmly to those He loves and died for.
I think it is a deception of satan that only those particularly gifted for evangelism need to bother. They may have a larger harvest field and a smoother time of it for their giftings.
That's no excuse, however, to us. I know of ABSOLUTELY NO Scripture that lets any of us off the hook for reaching out to those within our broadest field of influence in caring redemptive ways that could result in folks meeting and walking with our Savior eternally.
I can't think of a single case where we'll say on Heaven's shore . . . welll, that lost soul didn't matter, I was late for my hair appointment.
or
That lost soul didn't matter because my mascara was mushed and embarrassing.
or
That lost soul didn't matter because
--my shoes didn't match my blouse.
--my buddies might have seen me.
--my hearing aid had a low battery.
--it was looking like rain any minute.
--what would the neighbors have thought.
--I might have made a scene.
--I didn't want to risk embarrassing them.
--they might have thought I was a religious nut.
Certainly there were many Christ did NOT reach out to.
But it was never for shallow 'reasons.'
And no one gets off the hook for not being a professional evangelist. No one.
Cannot our hearts still burn relative to the assertions by these great preachers excerpted in the following video?
One of us may plant the seed. And another may water it. If we wait until we're able to plant it, water it, feed it, etc. that time may not come. It is God who sends the right ones at the right time. We are not all called to minister. But we are all called as ambassadors for Christ, and He leads us where He would have us go. For HIS GLORY!
Jude 1:22-23 (KJV) And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
It is also important to discern who you are talking to. Love means to love them as they are, doing no harm, and to respond appropriately so that they may grow.
Separating may be needed as well
1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Thank you so very much for sharing your testimony, dear brother in Christ! Evidently God has given you many open doors (or at least doors slightly ajar.)