At the beginning of this year our Pastor challenged us to “Go there.” in 2016. As we come to the close of this year, I wonder how we’re doing with this challenge?
Go there is simply a call to be intentional in our daily walk as we share the gospel in the places, situations, and relationships in which the Lord has placed us. Perhaps you hear “share the gospel” and immediately feel panicked and unsure; you’re immediately looking for a place to run and hide or you just tune out. I know. I can relate. I’ve felt this way most of my Christian life.
But I’ve learned over the years that it’s not so much about having all the right answers or a prepared script to quote, as it is about being willing to share your story of change.
How has Jesus changed your life?
I can do that.
I know the answer to that.
I can talk for days on that!
I’ve also discovered it’s about building relationships, engaging in conversations, and being willing to share the truths from God’s Word you’ve read, studied, pondered, prayed, and put into practice in your own life. It’s a willingness to be transparent about the obstacles you’ve faced and overcome, by trusting and relying on Jesus.
It’s simply sharing your story. The story of how God’s Word and your daily relationship with Him changes the way you think, feel, act, and react. We’ve all got a story to tell and God is working and moving in our lives every day, so there’s always another chapter being written.
This is one of the reasons I love to read the letters of the New Testament written by Paul. He has an amazing story. He’s passionate about sharing his story. He’s passionate about sharing the lessons he’s learned and the way God is moving and working in his life in every circumstance. He’s passionate about people hearing the gospel and coming to know Jesus. He’s passionate about praying for people—Paul devotes a great deal of attention in each of his letters to praying for people. You’ll find prayers for others in every book he’s written. I love the heart of Paul for his God, for the gospel, and for people.
Paul speaks to the idea of our lives being stories, living letters, penned by the living God on the tablets of human hearts. Our stories, if we are willing to share them, speak of God’s power and redemption to those around us.
And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. —2 Corinthians 3:2
Who will you pray for that needs to know Christ?
Who will you share your story of redemption with today?
This post first appeared on the blog, susancady.com.