Sharing the Gospel with YOUR Voice

Beloved of God,

One of the things that concerned me about being a Christian was sharing the gospel. The Bible calls us to do it (Mark 16:15) but what does that mean?  Asking people in the grocery line, "Do you know Jesus?"  Knocking on the doors of my neighbors? Putting tracts on windshields? Standing on the corner with a billboard?  With these examples in mind, I'll be honest: I didn't know if I could do it. 

As a new Christian, I worried about rejection, being inarticulate and my ignorance of scripture.  I even discovered that evangelism was not one of my spiritual gifts  (http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/test/adult) and tried to use those results as an excuse for my discomfort and silence.

As I've explored this calling in my own heart, however, I've reconciled many concerns:

- The fear of rejection feels like nothing compared to the regret of missed opportunity.  There have been times I look back on a conversation and think, "Oh that would've been the perfect time to share what I know about Jesus", and I didn't.  Folks, I can tell you that the fear of speaking is much easier to overcome after you've experienced the lingering regret of having remained silent.  I can rest in speaking my truth and sharing the good news.

-As someone who has a hard time memorizing the "address" of key phrases in the Bible, I may not always be quick to share a verse but I do know my own story of redemption.  I have no problem in the telling of how I came to faith because I lived it. I know exactly what Jesus can do because I experience it on a daily basis.  I have witnessed miracles so I know they are still occurring today.  I may not have a memory for verse but I can never forget my story.

- I don’t have to be a Biblical scholar to share the gospel. I just need to know this one thing:  Our sins have been forgiven through the sacrifice of God's son, Jesus Christ.  His love was, and continues to be, THAT big...and it was for all of us.

- Sharing the gospel can be offered in many ways.  Direct questions, tracts, going to another country or approaching strangers are certainly all ways to do that.  They're just not necessarily my ways, so far.   I don't have to be Ray Comfort or a missionary to give hope through the gospel. I just need to be Michelle Ruschman with a willing heart. Today, I write.

-Sharing the gospel must start with love.  As a pre-Christian, I would have been angered by scare tactics. I would have dismissed rote approaches that didn't start with who I was and where I was in my walk. We bridge these gaps with relationships that start with love, have established trust and  authentically care for the person, regardless of their current relationship with God.

And finally,
- Ours is to share. It is God's to reveal. It is the recipient's to move with the knowledge.

Share what you know, beloved. You just may save a life.