Around the end of July during one of the Wednesday night Bible studies, Kyle discussed obstacles in sharing the Gospel. The study made me reflect on the places I frequent and the people I regularly see there. More importantly, the study brought to my attention that I was not praying for opportunities to share the Gospel. During my private time the following morning, I made a prayer list that included praying for opportunities to share the Gospel along with specific people and places for those opportunities to arrive.
One of the places on my prayer list was the chemical shop that I visit almost weekly. (If you don’t know, I’m a licensed exterminator). After praying over the list for a couple days, I thought about bringing them some honey from our bees and seeing if that might start up any conversations. I got the honey ready and was set to deliver it. But during the drive, “life happened”. I began getting numerous phone calls, and my mind was filled with the stresses from the morning. By the time I got to my supplier, I felt on edge and was in work mode. I ordered my chemicals and dropped off the honey. I received a “thank you” and went about my day. My attempt went without success.
As I went about my day, I came to the realization that I did not look for an opportunity to share the Gospel that morning. I tried, and I succeeded in completing a task—I dropped off the honey. But honestly, I was disappointed with myself. I forgot the reason for bringing the honey in the first place. After I was in “work mode,” God became an afterthought. I continued to reflect on this during my private time and, most importantly, did not remove anyone off the prayer list. I continued to bring it to God every morning.
The following week I needed to go back to my supplier to pick up some products. When I went, the girl at the front desk asked me if she could buy some honey from me. I told her that right now I’ve just been giving it away, but I am considered doing it for donations in the future. She was curious where the donations would go, and I explained to missionaries. She confessed that she was Catholic but did not know her reasons for identifying Catholic, and she did not have a church. I was then able to go through a legitimate Gospel presentation. I also left a tract with her to read in her free time. I have since changed my prayer requests from “opportunities to share” to “opportunity to follow up.”
Our God is a promise-keeping God. He has promised to call His children from all the ends of the Earth. Nothing can thwart His mission. I would encourage you to sit down and spend some time thinking about all the people you encounter on a regular to semi-regular basis. We are the vehicle through which God chooses to spread His Gospel. Pray that God’s mission will be completed and that we can have the joy of being used in that mission. Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.” Specifically, pray for the people in your life and the places you go for Gospel-sharing opportunities.