Have you ever felt hesitant, shy or even fearful to share your faith in Christ with others? I’ll admit I have.
I’ve been following Christ for more than 50 years. As a Christian singer, I found sharing my faith from the stage was always easy because I could recite my testimony like a script.
But speaking up for Christ in everyday encounters was often a struggle. When it came to telling someone about Jesus, my words never seemed to come out right. So I chose to say little or nothing at all.
When my 50th year of walking with the Lord approached, I confessed to God that I wanted to change. I took a big leap of faith by praying, God, will You give me more opportunities to share my faith with others? If You’ll open the door and give me the words, I’ll obey Your command to shine my light and share my faith.
Soon after, while standing in the grocery store checkout line, I greeted the clerk, asking how she was doing. She told me she was fine, but her grandmother was fighting cancer. My heart went out to her. I didn’t want to say I’d pray for her grandmother and then forget later, so I offered to pray right there.
For one holy moment, the young lady and I asked God to heal her grandmother. Based on her response, I think we both sensed deeply that God heard our prayer.
I was leaving the store when a kind stranger approached me, saying, “I saw you praying for the grocery clerk. My husband is not walking with the Lord. Would you pray for him?” It was a humble privilege to pray for a sister in the Lord, asking that her husband might become a believer in Christ.
As I walked to my car to load up my groceries, another young lady approached me and asked me to pray for her family. What a joy to be a light for Jesus at the grocery store — not only for those who needed prayer but also for those who may have observed our grocery store prayer meeting!
Jesus desires that we tell others about Him. He also wants us to show Him to others. We don’t need a pulpit or a platform. With kindness, love and compassion, we can all participate in spreading the gospel, as Matthew 5:16 instructs:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Jesus commands that we reflect His light, meeting those who need the hope of Christ right where they are. When we do, we’ll experience immense joy as we lead others to Him. Inviting God to use our lives to love others is the first step.
Heavenly Father, help me obey Your command to make disciples who love You. Whether it’s online or in person, please give me courage to share the gospel with others, to shine my light for You with love and compassion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
