I sat in my seat Sunday feeling very convicted about my hesitancy in sharing the gospel.
As an introvert at heart (yes, you would never know because I can be social if needed!) it is extremely hard to get out of my comfort zone and share the gospel. I can easily teach a class on prayer to people who are hungry for it, but going up to a complete stranger and asking if they think they will go to heaven when they die…now that is downright terrifying!
I have grown up watching my dad do this over and over again to complete strangers. There is no doubt that he has the gift of evangelism…and every time he starts talking to someone a little longer than five minutes…we know the gospel is going to be preached! Waiters, cab drivers, random people walking on a trail…you name it.
I’ve always watched in complete wonder as he asks someone exactly what Pastor Jason shared — “So, on a scale of one to ten…how likely do you think it is that you’re going to heaven?” Or my personal favorite (that as an introvert makes me cringe!) — “If you were at the gates of heaven and had to stand before God today, asking to get in…what would you say?”
The funny part is that the person who has been asked these type of questions, is usually not crouching into the fetal position like I am. They have thought about this! They typically have an answer. Most of the time the answer is…”Well, I’m a pretty good person…” which leads my dad into his full explanation of the gospel and how none of us are actually “good”.
All these years I have watched in amazement, knowing that every time I have tried to share, I sink into silence and can’t even seem to open my mouth. Why didn’t I get the same gift? Why can’t I do it?
To be honest with you, I think it comes down to people-pleasing. There is a sense that I am somehow terribly inconveniencing this person’s life by crossing the bridge of the natural, into the spiritual. I assume that people really don’t want to get into this…kind of like politics, if you know what I mean.
But from what I’ve observed over all these years watching my dad…people actually don’t mind getting into this! Crossing that bridge is something they are willing to do. Most people ponder these big questions about life, so when you ask them…they do have something to say.
So I left Sunday’s message feeling encouraged, but also convicted…feeling the weight of needing to push past the people-pleasing, introverted tendencies I have and to actually cross the bridge into the spiritual. It isn’t easy, but being a Christian never really is! We know now what we signed up for, right?
Let’s lead with a little more boldness, asking some difficult questions, and sharing what Jesus has done for us. You never truly know what is going on inside someone’s heart. God does though. And He is ready to orchestrate the perfect meeting at the perfect time and place. We just have to be obedient.
As an introvert at heart (yes, you would never know because I can be social if needed!) it is extremely hard to get out of my comfort zone and share the gospel. I can easily teach a class on prayer to people who are hungry for it, but going up to a complete stranger and asking if they think they will go to heaven when they die…now that is downright terrifying!
I have grown up watching my dad do this over and over again to complete strangers. There is no doubt that he has the gift of evangelism…and every time he starts talking to someone a little longer than five minutes…we know the gospel is going to be preached! Waiters, cab drivers, random people walking on a trail…you name it.
I’ve always watched in complete wonder as he asks someone exactly what Pastor Jason shared — “So, on a scale of one to ten…how likely do you think it is that you’re going to heaven?” Or my personal favorite (that as an introvert makes me cringe!) — “If you were at the gates of heaven and had to stand before God today, asking to get in…what would you say?”
The funny part is that the person who has been asked these type of questions, is usually not crouching into the fetal position like I am. They have thought about this! They typically have an answer. Most of the time the answer is…”Well, I’m a pretty good person…” which leads my dad into his full explanation of the gospel and how none of us are actually “good”.
All these years I have watched in amazement, knowing that every time I have tried to share, I sink into silence and can’t even seem to open my mouth. Why didn’t I get the same gift? Why can’t I do it?
To be honest with you, I think it comes down to people-pleasing. There is a sense that I am somehow terribly inconveniencing this person’s life by crossing the bridge of the natural, into the spiritual. I assume that people really don’t want to get into this…kind of like politics, if you know what I mean.
But from what I’ve observed over all these years watching my dad…people actually don’t mind getting into this! Crossing that bridge is something they are willing to do. Most people ponder these big questions about life, so when you ask them…they do have something to say.
So I left Sunday’s message feeling encouraged, but also convicted…feeling the weight of needing to push past the people-pleasing, introverted tendencies I have and to actually cross the bridge into the spiritual. It isn’t easy, but being a Christian never really is! We know now what we signed up for, right?
Let’s lead with a little more boldness, asking some difficult questions, and sharing what Jesus has done for us. You never truly know what is going on inside someone’s heart. God does though. And He is ready to orchestrate the perfect meeting at the perfect time and place. We just have to be obedient.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.