I’ve been working through “The Gospel on the Ground” study, in conjunction with my studies of the minor prophets, and I have been realizing that I need to be more intentional in talking about Jesus when I interact with people.
However, the problem is that when I am heading out someplace, my thoughts are not always centered around what I should be thinking. After all, I am a woman on a mission. Unfortunately, that mission is not always the one Jesus commissioned me for! For example, my trip to Walmart should be about a possible opportunity to make Jesus known to the people I interact with. What was I thinking? I was thinking how long will it take me to get there? I was thinking about how prepared they would be to do the curbside delivery.
I should have been thinking about the possible opportunity God was giving me to either tell someone Jesus loves them and the opportunity to share the Gospel, or the time to encourage a sister or brother in Christ.
As I further considered this, I realized that what I was thinking when I get into the car is rarely what I should be thinking.
I should be praying when I get in the car. Praying for God’s guidance and leading in making every interaction I have while I’m out and about point to Him. I should be praying for the opportunity to share the best message the world has ever been exposed to – Jesus Christ came to pay the penalty for our sins! He did that perfectly! He rose again! He’s at the Father’s right hand! He’s returning soon!
I was really struck by this. I confessed it to God, and am praying that from this point forward my mindset will be increasingly set on things above, more than on the earthly chores I’m heading out to do. This is also applicable to my time at home.
I need to be sure my mind is increasingly set on God, and making Him known, so others can share in the best gift ever – salvation through Jesus Christ [Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”].
Colossians 3:1-3 reminds me of who I am, and where my mindset should be: “Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
God is so amazingly patient with me! I’m grateful for His longsuffering, for His complete forgiveness, and more chances to walk humbly with Him. He leads me in His paths of righteousness, for His glory, to honor His Name [Psalm 23:3: “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”].
That is truly what I want to be doing. It’s not that I haven’t prayed each day for God to direct me to glorify Him. I do that. But, in reality, I can be more focused on the tasks – shopping, visiting others, vacation, etc. than to always remember that every interaction is an opportunity to make Jesus known.
But God is patient. He is forgiving, and is giving me some thoughts on how I might change it up so that I am more aware of my mission:
“But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Amplified Version
There is nothing more important than making Jesus known!
It’s not that I don’t think about it, but I can make excuses why I don’t share more about Jesus. I can feel intimidated. I can think they’ve already heard it, etc.
I am respectful that many people I interact with are working, and I don’t want them to “steal” from their employers by my taking time to have a long conversation with them about Jesus. But God is giving me some ideas on how I can change that up a bit.
I’m thinking about printing a card with my first name and phone number (or email address). I can offer it to someone so they could call me at a more convenient time. I won’t force someone to take it, but it’s one way I can test the waters to see if perhaps God is opening the door to their hearts to hear more about Jesus.
Another idea might be to have some cards without my number that indicate Jesus loves them, and give them some verses, and provide information on our Sunday church service so they could meet me there.
Perhaps I’ll do both? God will lead me.
Recently we received a letter from a woman we don’t know. She had written to encourage us to check out their website regarding a way to find hope in this dark world. She is not a Christian, I could tell by the name of the website. Instead of tossing the letter, I answered the questions she posed on the letter, and then shared the truth about Jesus. I mailed the letter to her with an offer to talk more. I never heard back, but seeds of truth were planted. God knows. God’s Holy Spirit will do the work necessary in her life.
I’m a seed planter. I plant seeds of truth regarding our great and mighty God and Redeemer when I share the Gospel. God’s Holy Spirit utilizes those truths to bear spiritual fruit, according to His will. The study in “The Gospel On The Ground” reminds me that Jesus chose me. Contrary to the Rabbis of His day, who were chosen by their followers, Jesus chose me to be His feet on the ground, to carry the Gospel to a world that is sold out to entertainment and self-gratification.
What I was thinking is now changing! Praise God!! I’m excited about what I am now thinking, and will be thinking when I interact with others.
What about you? When you head out your door, or bring people into your home, what are you thinking? Are you thinking this is an opportunity to glorify God and make Him known, or are you more concerned about your appearance, your chores, or your errands? I pray your thinking changes with mine so that we are Gospel sharers!
Please contact me at: ButGodCares@gmail.com if you want to talk about making Jesus known.
Living for Jesus, Donna
P.S. If this has helped you, please feel free to share it with others!
Note: If the verses for Bible references do not appear when you hover over them, go directly to the website, and they should appear for you.
Copyright 2023 Donna Shappy All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other – without the prior permission of the author.