“… and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, NIV)
When you tell others about the game, what are some of your best words of encouragement to interest them in getting started? Probably, you start with the things you love most about getting out to play. For me, it would the variety of challenges a round can present, as well as the time outdoors.
At the same time, we have to be careful not to overwhelm others with our enthusiasm. A tempered approach recognizes that it may take more than one go-around to convince a friend to give golf a try. We can tell others what we love about the game, but we can’t make them love it.
You simply need to do what you’ve done in so many other contexts. Talk about what you know, with energy and with clarity.Now if I turned this coin to the other side and began to consider how we talk about Jesus, you might pitch in with any number of resources and methods you’ve seen employed, from door-to-door witnessing, to a showing of the Jesus Film, to an invitation to church, to the Four Spiritual Laws. Our list could go on and on, but none of these approaches—no matter how well-formed or how well-presented—replace the power of relationship and conversation. When you’ve taken the time to know someone and they’ve gotten to know you, the doors to meaningful interaction about life’s most important matters swing open more freely.
In this way, we can say that being a witness for Jesus is one part befriending, one part engaging, and one part expressing. Without relationship, few people will bother to listen. Without engagement, they won’t have interest. And without expression, they won’t be given a message to hear.
The good news is that you don’t need any new skills to “do the work of an evangelist” (words Paul wrote to Timothy). You simply need to do what you’ve done in so many other contexts. Talk about what you know, with energy and with clarity. When the disciples first interacted with Jesus, he encouraged them do what they already had interest in doing: “Follow me.” Those who were serious took up this elementary instruction and from there they began learning.
You don’t need to hide the fullness of what you’ve been gaining as you’ve walked with Jesus, but you don’t need to bring the whole inventory either. Start with what’s happened to you: “Jesus has changed me.” Then go forward from there, little by little, as you are asked. And enjoy the chance to answer!
—
Jeff Hopper
October 25, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
Other devotions in this series:
1 Who Am I? Created by God
2 Who Am I? Children of God
3 Who Am I? Crucified with Christ
4 Who Am I? Resurrected with Christ
5 Who Am I? Born Again
7 Who Am I? A Citizen of Heaven
8 Who Am I? A Fearless One
9 Who Am I? Free in Christ
10 Who Am I? A Victor
11 Who Am I? Gifted for Good
12 Who Am I? God’s Friend
13 Who Am I? Complete in Christ