I have greatly admired and at times even envied people who seem to have no problem sharing literature, talking, or praying with someone they’ve just met. They often say that they ask and receive these “divine appointments.” However, my envy stems from wishing I had the ability to know just what to say, at the right time, and in the right way.
That ability is also one of the many things I admire about the life of Jesus. He always knew what needed to be said, and just how to say it. He spoke with so much wisdom and insight that no one could catch Him in His words no matter how hard they tried, and they finally gave up. It really wasn’t about having the gift of small talk, either. Jesus often circumvented small talk so that the first words out of His mouth were direct and to the point. Both He and His apostles spoke truth with wisdom, energy, and persistence. So why can’t I?
One reason I admire people that are always ready to give an answer—people who always seen to have a tract or something with them—is because I am generally reticent to do so, and my tracts become dog-eared before I ever pass them out.
Truth is, I would much rather write a blog or even speak in front of a large group of people than attempt to make small talk with the intention of finding an opening for the sharing of the gospel. Yes, I have asked for those “divine appointments,” but deep down I’ve hoped that maybe they wouldn’t come along that day. I’ve always told myself that small talk is not my strong point. Why would anybody want to talk to and accept literature from someone shy and awkward anyway? I sometimes say the stupidest things—some of which haunt me for years. Anyone else ever deal with this?
My problem is that I wonder if by refusing to work in certain ways—or perhaps, by doing things my own way—I am actually working against God.I believe that by withholding that which He has given us to use in His service—be it time, or means, or any other gift He entrusts us with—we work against Him. In fact, by failing to be diligent workers for the Master, by leaving duties undone and words unspoken, we may even allow Satan to gain control of souls who might otherwise have been won for Christ! We can never be saved in indolence and inactivity, even if we think we have an excuse. There is no such thing as a truly converted person living a helpless, useless life. Jesus says “Go ye” (Mark 16:15).
To be certain, God gives different talents to different people, and I know that God has used me in other ways. Often, as I have asked Him to put me in the right place, doing what He needs me to do and saying what He wants me to say, He has blessed. Truly, there is no greater joy than to lift some of the burden of the woes of this world.
Then again, however satisfying it is to work for God in some of these less conventional and more personal ways, I don’t think it necessarily lets me off the hook when it comes to reaching out in more traditional ways. To excuse myself from certain lines of work or certain activities is to ignore the fact that God, in love, wants to reach out to the world in every way possible.
I’m beginning to realize that to say “I can’t do it” is to subscribe to the enemy’s propaganda. Maybe I can’t do it alone, but I can be divinely enabled to do whatever God requires. We need to draw so close to Jesus that He makes contact through us. Everything we do needs to be done in love. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we need to have the outworking of God’s love in and through us.
Ask yourself, Is this worth doing? If it is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well. Like Solomon, we can ask for wisdom in our dealings with others and know that God will be pleased to answer this desire. We need to depend on Him completely, so that we won’t discourage a single soul in right doing. When we ask God for wisdom, He will help us to see with our brains, as well as our eyes. We will be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Whether we recognize it or not, every one of us has an influence for good or for evil—“The aroma of death leading to death” or “the aroma of life leading to life” (2 Corinthians 2:16). When our own thirsting soul is satisfied with living water, out of our heart will “flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38).
Of course, there’s another ditch we can slide into. It is the “of course I can do it,” or the “I can” club. We “witness” in order to be satisfied with our own accomplishments—to rack up points, in a sense. We can never afford to lose sight of the fact that we can only do what needs to be done if we are filled with the Spirit of Jesus. Works can’t save us. They only give evidence of the depth of our love and commitment to the Lord and speak to the fact that a heavenly transformation has taken place.
Any usefulness we have depends on our union with Christ and our faith in Him. We should not take one step forward without the love of Jesus alive and burning in our hearts, and only by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Then, and only then, can we become true ambassadors for Christ.
We have the pattern. It is Jesus. What we see of Him, who always did the will of His Father, we are to imitate. We are to walk in His footsteps, and He will qualify us to fill any and every position we may be called upon to occupy.
This is my hope and prayer for my own ministry and influence, and I hope I have encouraged you in yours, as well.
