I work with middle school and high school students on a weekly basis and it's not easy. If you work with them or have them, you know that these students can be scary, judgmental, and incredibly shy. Trying to share the Gospel with them is tough. Heck, trying to ask them how their week went is tough! I get nervous. I choke up. I start overthinking their reaction. I'm a grown woman for crying out loud! Why do they get to me so much?
I think it's because I care too much about how I am perceived instead of just thinking that this is all for Jesus. Maybe the students think I'm weird. Maybe they don't understand me. Maybe I'm not getting through to them at all. But, ultimately, should that matter anyways? All of it is worth it if, over my time in ministry, I get through to even just one student. I know that and I truly believe that, but come Sunday when I have to mingle with the students before service, I just freeze. I can't do it. Not that I can't, I guess, it's more so I don't know what to say and so I don't mingle. I constantly feel like I'm not wanted. I mean, I'm an adult, they want to talk to their friends not me. But then I think to myself, "God put me in this position for a reason. I need to make the most of it," which is true, just easier said than done. God and I are working on this in my life.
Think of this in any area of life: work, school, the gym, etc. All of these areas of life, we walk in the doors and there are lost people. There are people who do not know Jesus and need to hear about how amazing God is and how much he loves them. Why don't you talk to those people? What holds you back? Why haven't you invited your neighbor/coworker/gym buddy to church? All of these questions are essential and I challenge you to really dig deep. Find out why you don't talk to these people about Jesus.
I'm not perfect. I don't talk to everyone that I think I should. I feel the Holy Spirit tug on my heart to talk to people, but I ignore it because I think they'll think I'm some crazy Christian person (which I think is a valid excuse at times but I shouldn't!). To those who don't know Jesus, we seem crazy no matter what we say or do. We are crazy because we are so different from other religions. We are out there, but that isn't an excuse not to share the Gospel. In fact, it should be the reason we do share the Gospel. People don't know what they are missing! They are missing Jesus and this wonderful thing called a relationship with God! Do you hear me? Can you hear my desperation? There are people out there who don't know Jesus and we're sitting here like it's not our problem when it is! It's a huge problem and we are called to go and preach the Word!
I'll get off my soap box now. I'm asking you to look inside yourself and find out why you are afraid to share your faith. Find out why you are fearful to be all out for Jesus. What's stopping you?
Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not for I am with you; be not dismayed , for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Listen to that promise. Hold onto it. You can be fearless in the name of Jesus. You can go out there and share about your faith and this awesome God we serve. You can do it. I know you can. So, pinpoint your fears, ask God to help you overcome them, be fearless, and go share about Jesus. It is so uplifting and energizing when you do. It can be tough and sometimes people won't listen, but you'll get that one who does and it'll all be worth it.
So, go change the world in Jesus' name.