To the Christian Struggling With Evangelism

Evangelism has been on my mind a lot lately.

God has been moving in my life in such big ways, showing me so much peace and freeing me from such heavy burdens, and I long to tell others about that. I know people who don't get to experience that same joy and I want them to be able to know Jesus like I do.

But for some reason, it feels so hard. I don't know how to go about it or actually talk about Jesus to other people. I'm naturally pretty introverted and am not great at talking to people, and I just don't know how to evangelize at my school.

After talking with some friends, this is a pretty common feeling surrounding evangelism. It seems like a big, scary word, and not many people seem exactly confident or sure of how to live it out in our day to day life. As much as I want this post to be a step by step guide, full of practical tips on how to evangelize, it's still something I'm learning and praying about. In the meantime, I want to share what God has been encouraging me with.

The perfectionist in me wants to get it right, to have a plan on how I'm going to tell others about Jesus and make an impact. I'm very much the kind of person who wants to have everything figured out, but God is so kind to me, and He's been reminding me to take baby steps. My heart is in the right posture of wanting to learn how to evangelize, and so I'm working on making room for God to direct me in every moment. A lot of times this looks like being prayerful as I walk the halls of my school or sit in class, and just look for the opportunities that He might put in my path.

Prayer is key here, friends. If we want to be a light and represent Jesus well, we have to be connected to Jesus. We will be so much more successful at planting seeds when we are equipped and walking according with the Holy Spirit, and that starts by praying, getting in our word, and learning. Jesus is the vine, and the only way we can produce fruit (including evangelism) is by being connected to Him. I've been trying to be intentional about preparing to be ready in any situation (as Paul encourages Timothy to be in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 4:2) by filling my mind with Scripture as much as possible and learning from wiser people than I on the topic, like listening to podcasts and reading books.

As I do this and I'm leaning into God's strength instead of my own, it helps ease some of the nervousness and anxiety. When God opens the door for me to tell others about what He's done in my life, it'll be Him speaking through me, not my own words. I'm so thankful that God doesn't expect me to do anything on my own, including evangelism, because He promises to be there alongside me and help me every step of the way.

If you're struggling with evangelism, that's the biggest thing I want to leave you with. God is so gracious and does not ask us to do anything on our own or perfectly. He wants to teach and guide us along the way, instead of relying on our own strength, boldness, or knowledge. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul writes, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." In every area that we aren't perfect, God's glory and love can shine even more, and that absolutely applies to evangelism. When we feel scared or unsure, Christ can be glorified, and that should be our entire mission in life. We can be used even more when we're weak, if we just invite Him into our brokenness.

Instead of worrying about how to evangelize or making sure that we're doing it "right", I'd challenge us to start turning to Jesus. Continue to pray and seek Him, tapping into His strength rather than your own understanding, and watch how He moves. We don't have to make it happen, but trust that as we walk in obedience and surrender, the Lord will make it happen in His way and timing.

One last thing.

In 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, it says, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plans nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plans and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor."

Be faithful in what God has given you. Plant seeds of the Gospel and water the seeds around you, encouraging and investing the people God has put in your path. Steward what God has blessed you with and be submissive to His leading. That is ultimately what is most important. Not adding new members to the church, not converting hearts, not even making sure that someone believes what you believe. All God asks of us is to walk in obedience and alignment with Him, committing to a loving relationship with Him, and when we do that, He can use that to open doors of opportunity and spread the Gospel through us.

Let me pray for us.

Lord, thank You for putting evangelism on our hearts. Thank You for being so gentle in teaching and guiding us, even when we're confused or nervous about those first steps. I pray that You would direct each believer and make it clear to us how You want to use us where we are right now. Allow our light to shine brightly for You and open doors for the conversations that will point others towards the Gospel. Show us how to plant and water the seeds, and by Your grace Jesus, help them to grow. We love You Jesus and we thank You for the honor of carrying Your name and the message of Your life. Amen.