Who do you know?

I recently had a conversation with an old friend. This friend grew up in the Bible belt going to church regularly and is a God-fearing, active and outgoing individual. This friend told me a story of something great that God had recently done in her life. I challenged this friend to try to share this story of what God had with another person who did not already have a relationship with Him. Someone whom we would call "lost" (because they have not yet found amazing grace.) I asked her who she could share this story with. She pondered for a moment and then with all honesty said, "I just don't know anyone who isn't already a Christian."

This was actually true of my life for a long time. I remember thinking something very similar when I first heard a female evangelist in a big auditorium in New Orleans cast vision for what it looks like to do everyday evangelism. At that point in my life, I had surrounded myself with like-minded people who, even though they may have had different personalities and characteristics, had similar values, beliefs and way of life. As I sat in that auditorium so many years ago, I remember feeling convicted about the need to share the Good News that I had been bestowed with to those who had not yet heard and I remember praying and asking the Father what to do. It was in the midst of loud worship music and thousands of voices singing praise that I heard God whisper quietly in my heart, "You have to go seek the lost."

It was certainly a revelation moment for me. Looking back now, it doesn't seem that profound but yet somehow in my life up to that time I had just never been challenged to go to the hard places. I know as a parent I have tried to raise my children to seek wise decisions and to know how to live safely. We would never tell people that we love to intentionally go look for hardship and danger. But maybe we should....

That's what Jesus did. He went to the hurting, to the sick and the weary. He also went to the prostitutes and the demon-possessed and the outcasts. And as his followers, I think maybe we are supposed to follow his example. 

If you've not been challenged like this before, let me ask you now - Who do you know that does not have a relationship with Jesus? If you can't think of someone, can I suggest that you might need to go to the places where you might find them? 

For me, it began by becoming involved in a prison ministry, but it doesn't have to be as radical as that. You can find people at sporting events and parks and in restaurants - anywhere that people gather. Plant yourself there and talk to people. Ask people about their lives and listen for needs that knowing the Lord would fulfill. Be willing to share about how God has changed your life and how He can change theirs. 

Doesn't the Gospel feel more urgent in these days? Doesn't it feel like God is moving and doing something big? If the Lord returns today, may we be found faithfully sharing His truth and His salvation with those who need Him. 

#untilallhaveheard