Before you read my own little piece on witnessing, I would really appreciate it if you would visit the following ladies who have partipated in this little contest:
| 1. Sarah’s In the Midst of It 2. e-Mom (Chrysalis) 3. Laurel Wreath |
4. Mrs Blythe 5. Carol 6. Graced by Christ |
7. Janice 8. Jennifer, Snapshot |
Thank you Ladies from the bottom of my heart for your participation :razz:…It is going to be hard to name a ‘winner’. In my eyes you are all winners, because you let you light shine through the power of the Holy Spirit…I will announce the ‘winner’ on Thursday, November 23rd.
If you have been reading my Blog for a while, you will know that evangelism is not one of my strong spiritual gifts. I have resigned to the fact that I will never be a Billy Graham or my personal favorite, Greg Laurie. Does it mean though that I should sit back and wait till an un-believer graces the seat next to me in the pew? Hardly! What is my personal style of witnessing? I am glad you asked…
I am the quiet type. I don’t hand out tracks; I don’t stand at the next street-corner to invite people to attend a crusade; and I don’t come right out telling people they need to be saved, because otherwise they end up in hell. No, I am quiet. I witness through my actions. I am ready to listen when people approach me with their health problem (this happens a lot) — I tell them I will pray for them. I cry with people when they have lost a father, mother, brother, sister or child. I go and get a cup of water if someone is thirsty (and sometimes I just grab a cup of coffee). I smile at people, when I see a frown on their face. I offer shelter to people who need to find a place to live. I give someone a ride who just had surgery. I work without complaining (much)…Yes, I hang out with un-believers at work and Bloggers that don’t share my faith…
But sometimes He gives me the strength to speak up. Let me share a couple of examples from work. One of my coworkers noticed the cross necklace I am wearing. He asked me if I am a Christian. I said: “Yes, I am. The necklace is not a fashion statement” — “So, you believe what is written in the Bible about God and Jesus?” — “Yes, I do!!!” (I didn’t get any farther – yet – I will wait for His green light)…On Halloween we had a pot-luck in my department. I was a little surprised that Halloween was considered by most of my coworkers a holiday –…I shared with several of them that in Germany, October 31st is celebrated as Reformation Day. I got some blank stares, but that gave me an opportunity to explain.
As Advent is approaching I plan to have a little “Jesse Tree” set-up in my cubicle. I pray that God may use it for me to share the Good News. I have paperback Bibles in the back of my car — just in case I encounter someone who wants to know more my God…
One of my favorite books about evangelism is Rebecca Manley Pippert’s book “Out of the Saltshaker & Into the World (yeah – thats why it is in the prize package). Let me quote from the beginning of the book:
“Christians and non-Christians have something in common: we’re both uptight about evangelism. Our fear as Christians seems to be How many people did I offend this week? We think that we must be a little obnoxious in order to be good evangelists. A tension builds inside: Should I be sensitive to people and forget about evangelism, or should I blast them with the Gospel and forget about their dignity as human beings? Many Christians choose to be aware of the person but then feel defensive and guilty for not evangelizing….”
You see, I agree. We need to see non-Christians first as a human being. Just like Jesus did. How come, once we are saved from eternal damnation, we forget that we are sinners too? Yes, we have been forgiven, but we are still sinners. We need His forgiveness every time we mess up. Okay, so maybe some don’t mess up as much as I do…But still. Really, think about it. How can we condemn someone who has not yet a saving relationship with Jesus Christ?!? We can not make someone believe what we believe. We can only sow the seeds, but ultimately it is up to God to ‘make them believe’ – by the power of His Spirit. We are only His hands and feet that share the message…
So, yes, I probably will never preach at a crusade, but by His power I will continue to let my little light shine…
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” ~ 1 Timothy 1:15-17 (ESV)
Iris this is beautiful!!!
“I smile at people, when I see a frown on their face. I offer shelter to people who need to find a place to live. I give someone a ride who just had surgery. I work without complaining (much)…Yes, I hang out with un-believers at work and Bloggers that don’t share my faith…”
That is the part that really hit me. I could not agree more. It is so true, the saying, actions speak louder than words. Why would a non-Christian want what a Christian has, when a person displays it poorly.
Nice thoughts! Your Jesse Tree idea at work will probably draw some questioners… but what better time than Christmas to share the Good News? Good for you! I love all the Christmas music in the air at this time of year, and it just seems natural to speak openly. I try to remember that faith comes by HEARING and hearing by the word of Christ. Our loving behavior is a wonderful door-opener, but only our words will produce True fruit. :~)
Thank you for this Iris! One of my current “hotbuttons” is that I need to be a person that people will want to be around (by being kind, be available, being friendly). If I’m not somone they would want to be around, why would they want Christ who I claim to be integral to my life?
Out of the Saltshaker is one of my absolute favorite books!
Now I’m off to read what the others have written.
Iris, I toyed with writing for your contest, but life has not permitted (can you tell???). Your testimony, the way you live your faith, is similar to how I live; my “entry” would’ve been similar to your own. Christ is incarnated in MY life (in the life of every believer), and He uses a gazillion personalities to demonstrate His own and speak to a lost, hurting world. Investing in the lives of others, whether it be for a ride, a drink, or an on-going relationship is a lovely way (the only way?) to BE the hands and feet of Jesus. The beauty of the love of God in us compels us to ACT (whatever that action may look like) and draws people to Him, transforming each of us in the process.
I’ve heard of that book for years, but never read it. Just add it to my stack!
I love it. You were right. We both said similar things in different ways.
Witnessing can be as unobtrusive as taking a meal to a shut-in. Or as blatant as asking someone if you can pray for them. That’s about as blatant as I get, though. LOL!
I witness through my actions. this is how we should all witness I believe, actions speak louder than words (to coin a much used, but true, phrase). Jesus was a man of action and a man of words, and His actions backed up His words (indeed He is the living Word of God) – He showed God’s way of dealing with life, His love and tenderness to the lost…I pray I can show God’s love in my life too. Thanks for this post, loved it 🙂