Driving down to school this past weekend, I was thinking of what this semester would bring. I like to have an idea/vision of what I see for each semester. This semester the Lord has put on my heart taking the risk of witnessing to every person I have a chance with. It has already blown my mind how he has abundantly reinforced that vision in just a few short days. I was thinking about how it is my last year in college (crazy I know!) and how I won't have the same opportunities I have now ever again.
My mom read a book this past summer called, "Take the Risk" by Ben Carson. On the drive home from Florida she told me a bit about what it was about. She mentioned how in the book he talks about how life is too short to care what people think or trying to avoid awkward moments. For some reason that has stuck with me since. It made so much sense to me.
We all know those awkward moments in the elevator when someone comes in and it's just the two of you. There is that short time span when it is ok to say something and then it soon passes, and you are left wishing the elevator would hurry up already and open. Most people just avoid the risk of an awkward conversation or chancing an uncomfortable interaction. But why? Why are we so afraid of AWKWARD? What effect will it have on our life if we fumble over some words, or have an uncomfortable few seconds of silence while trying to think of what to say?
All of that to say, why don't we take the risk more often? I think we are afraid of what that person will think of us. When in all honesty...if we don't know them and might not ever see them again, or even if you do, it doesn't matter. Those words will never physically hurt us, and we probably will never even know what they thought.
So as I think of all those situations, I think why not use those moments to make someone's day with a simple "Hello, how's your day going?" or a short compliment? You never know what could come from that short opener, and who knows, God could use it to start a whole conversation, or even use it in a series of events that lead that person to Christ in the end.
1 Thessalonians 2:2 says, "...we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict."
Paul was not speaking out of his own courage and self-confidence. No, he spoke because he had confidence in his God! He was in physical conflict while preaching to the Thessalonians, and yet he continued to preach with boldness! because he knew the God he spoke of and had confidence in God's faithfulness.
1 Thessalonians 2 continues in verse 4, "...so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts."
I love this. It is exactly what this risk-taking is about. We cringe back from saying things to people so often because we are not bold in ourselves and don't want to make them feel uncomfortable or awkward. What we should be doing is boldly sharing the love and encouragement our God offers to us daily!
A person's soul is worth far far far more than any amount of awkwardness or uncomfort. If that soul is saved from eternal hell than for goodness sakes, by all means let there be however much awkwardness is necessary! God is faithful, he will open doors, and if that person does reject your words, then it is not upon you that their soul will be separated from God. Like verse 4 says, we do not speak words of truth to please men, but to please GOD.
It does not matter if the person wants to hear it or not. Of course you discern in your spirit whether or not the person is being receptive and you remain respectful, but the point is to take the risk. Just try it. You might meet some amazing fellow believers who are also inspired to take the risk with others.
Imagine if every believer on college campuses began taking the risk of telling anyone and everyone about God? That my friend would be a reformation.
I pray that this generation become like Martin Luther (the German monk who spoke truth into the misguided Catholic Church) and Charles Spurgeon (became a pastor of thousands at age 16). I want to see this world changed so dramatically, and how amazing would it be to see the young people of this world lead the way to the Savior's arms?!
God is so ready to love every one of his children. He will use you. All you have to do is allow him to. Just pray right now, ask the Lord to take you off the shelf and use you as his vessel that will flow Living Water across this dry and parched land. It is dying of thirst for True Love.
Will you join me in this vision? Will you take the risk?
No comments:
Post a Comment