Finding The Courage To Share Jesus
by: Bianca Schaefer
Finding The Courage To Share Jesus
Have you ever felt relieved for not having to share the Gospel with someone? Maybe you can relate. There’s that difficult person in your life, a co-worker, friend, or a family member that you just don’t think would want to hear about Jesus – especially not from you. You know the Good News is life changing, but when the time comes to sharing it, there may be moments you feel relief when the subject gets changed or you’re out of time.
In fact, I’m embarrassed to say, I felt a pang of relief and a piercing conviction at a funeral I recently attended. The man who had passed away was an acquaintance of mine whom I’d known for over 30 years. Though the family had a pastor speak at the funeral home, he himself was not a Christ follower.
As the pastor began to deliver her message, she spoke of Jesus as being everyone’s friend. She went on to talk about Him some more and read scriptures from the Bible. As I looked around the room, I wondered what was going through the minds of the attendees. It gave me so much joy, listening to her share the Word of God with all these people—some of whom I knew were unbelievers; specifically those close to me who I consider to be like family.
As the pastor spoke of the man who had passed away, she shared how she felt it was her duty to share the Gospel with everyone. And she did so with passion and conviction, not leaving anything off of the table. I mean, right there at that funeral, if you had never heard about why you need Jesus in your life, she made it crystal clear. And several times I might add! This woman was on a roll! She even made a point at the onset of saying that no one could claim they had never heard of the Good News because she was there to tell them. Right on woman! I silently cheered. You keep on going!
While I saw many getting a little impatient at the length of her message, I was overjoyed with excitement. People were being exposed to the Word of God! And I was enjoying every second of it. But surprisingly at the end, I felt a joy of relief wash over me. Great! I thought. Now I don’t have to say anything, because they heard it all from her!
Stunned by my thought, my hands covered my mouth.
Immediately, I felt conviction utterly pierce my heart.
Why did I not want to share the Gospel with those closest to me? Past hurt, condemnation, and ridicule flooded my mind in remembrance.
Just then, I thought of Jesus’s disciple Peter, who had so adamantly said he would never deny Jesus—but then he did, three times! So, I had to ask myself, was I ashamed of Jesus?
Could excuses really justify my thought?
Excuses like:
It hasn’t been an easy journey becoming a Christ follower as an adult. I’ve often found myself oscillating between desiring to become more Christ-like and wanting to stay the same. Part of the struggle has been the hardest with family and friends.
When you accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour, the Bible tells you that you’re set apart. (2.Timothy 2:21). The Bible tells you to live differently because you have taken your old self off and put your new self on—which is being renewed, (Colossians 3:8-10)
But opposition often finds it’s way through those you’re closest to.
At first, people are happy to hear you’ve found Jesus. It’s when they start to see a change in you that they tell you, “You’ve changed” in a tone that isn’t cheerleader-like.
Thankfully, we have a Saviour who understands the pain and rejection we go through at the cost of following Him.
Jesus was often misunderstood, made fun of, ridiculed, and left on His own. Yet, on the cross, He showed His love and compassion for those who persecuted Him by praying for them to the Father.
No, my excuses can not justify not sharing the Gospel. To do so would be to forget the very thing Jesus asked of his disciples: He said to them,”Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation”. Mark 16:15 - NIV.
The truth is, if the disciples hadn’t been obedient to Jesus’ commands 2000 years ago, I wouldn’t be sitting here as a Christ follower today.
Sometimes it’s a lot easier to share the Gospel with strangers than it is to share it with those we know and love. But what this experience has taught me, is that I can learn from those whose conviction is so strong, they aren’t afraid of a few rolling eyeballs or impatient foot taps to the floor. But rather, their obedience to Christ is what supersedes everything else. And if I allow it, their passion can ignite the dormant, fearful places of my own heart.
You with me?
Bianca Schaefer is a Writer, Certified Life, and Business Coach, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, and Personal Trainer who inspires a global community through nourishing their body, mind, and spirit with delicious foods, an active lifestyle, and a mindset that believes anything is possible. Her mission is to help others realize their greatest potential and discover God’s love. Her articles and blogs have been featured in The Local Biz Magazine in the Greater Toronto Area and she is putting the finishing touches on her first book, which intersects physical and spiritual health. She lives with her husband, Phil in Toronto and enjoys being a step-mom to her two adult daughters, Andrea and Nicole. Find out more about Bianca at: http://biancaschaefer.com