We read in the gospels that when people encountered Jesus, He would do something remarkable for them and then send them away. He would send them away with words like “go home and tell them what God has done for you”. He sent them to their family, or village, or a temple priest. Jesus didn’t say “memorize and study these pieces of scripture, or “take a course“ or “wait for your pastor to tell people what God has done for you”. Jesus was direct, and He told people that they needed to tell others what God had done for them.
Have you thought about what God has done for you? Can you tell anyone what God has done for you? If you haven’t given this question much thought, consider setting aside some quiet time and reflecting on it. If you are unsure where to begin, start by thinking about these three questions:
(1) What was my life like before Christ?
(2) How did I meet Jesus?
(3) What is my life like after I met Christ?
Why would you do that? The simple response is “so that you can share the gospel with people,” but you should ask yourself these questions to remind yourself of your past and your future. If you can see change in your life, you can be assured that others can also see change. When you recognize change, then you will also be able to identify what God is still doing for you.
For those who stumble with words, Francis of Assisi is credited with saying, “Preach the gospel, and if necessary, use words”. He is reminding us that actions speak louder than words, and our daily living should reflect our faith. Jesus tells us in John 13 34 – 35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” People know our actions change us. The change they see in us will open the door to a conversation where you can share what God has done for you. You can connect their life to God through your own changed life.