A Bit More About Ottawa

One thing I learned in Ottawa didn't seem very significant at the time, but I've since learned that it's more important than I realized.

I have read a bunch of books, heard sermons, and perused blog posts on evangelism. Somehow, I got the idea that true evangelism is always trying to work the gospel into every conversation, and sharing the salvation story with random people on the street. Asking questions like, "If you died today would you be 100% certain that you're going to heaven?" or telling people about sin and the cross and Jesus' free gift of life, or John 3:16 getting quoted a lot. I thought that I was supposed to continuously be scattering the seed of God's Word into people's lives. And since I wasn't doing that, I always felt vaugely guilty.

Consequently, when I started asking God who I should talk to, I expected Him to say everyone. When we were handing out flyers for Church on Wednesday at the University of Ottawa, I thought He wanted me to hand them out indiscriminately to everyone I met.

So I was very surprised when God said, "No. Don't talk to that person." or "No, don't give them a flyer."

The idea that God says "No" to 'evangelising' a particular person was completely new to me. It was freeing, but went against what the books and blogs and sermons had told me.

Now I see why He says "No". Firstly, I'm not responsible for saving everyone, or anyone. That's His job. My job is to respond to what God says. Maybe that person just needs a smile and a cheerful "Hello!" as we pass on the street. Maybe they're not ready to hear about Jesus yet.

And that leads me to my second point. People are in different places in their lives. They're individuals, with different hurts, needs, and preoccupations. One method of sharing the gospel doesn't fit everyone. God knows what each individual needs, and whether or not they're ready to hear about Him. If we go in with John 3:16 blazing, we might actually push that person further away from God. Maybe they just need someone to listen to them rant about how annoying their boss is. And in that moment, they'll get a taste of how God listens to them and cares about them. Maybe later they'll be ready to hear John 3:16, because someone listened to them.

Also, bringing people to Jesus is a team effort. God directs us. It's very possible that I'm not meant to talk to that person, because another Christian may be better suited to talking to them. Even if I do talk to a person, I'm building on a foundation that others have started, and I'm strengthening a foundation for others to build on. That person doesn't have to be saved RIGHT NOW, unless God specifically wants it that way.

Finally, talking to the wrong people at the wrong time sucks energy from us, energy that we need for talking to the right people at the right time.

To steal a quote from The Shack, our job isn't to be responsible, it's to be responsive. One method doesn't work for everyone. Listening to what God says, and following the Holy Spirit's leading are the most important things in evangelism. That, and love. Our aim should not be to convert people. Our aim should be to follow Jesus, and do what he says.