I’ve recently decided I want to torture myself pretty much every day for the next couple of months. And by torture myself, what I really mean is start practicing for a marathon. Why would I put myself through so much pain and agony, both physically and mentally, you ask… Well, I don’t really have a good answer for you. I actually don’t like running at all. ESPECIALLY if chasing a ball is not involved. Last time I checked there is no such thing as a “marathon ball” as with the foot, base, and basket varieties. I think my biggest driving factor is just that I want to be able to say that I did it. I completed a marathon. But even in the torture, I think God might have a bigger reason or lesson for me in it right now.
I use the words “practice for a marathon” specifically because “training” feels insufficient. Maybe this is a made-up thing in my head, but training to me infers lifting weights, stretching, and doing box jumps. All good things, just not the actual thing, running a marathon. Practicing, in my mind, signifies you are actually attempting the task at hand in hopes that one day you will complete the actual task with perfection or great success. I don’t know if I’m making much sense, but I’ll try to differentiate the difference greater, by sharing what God has been convicting me of more recently.
Going to church, hearing God’s word preached, attending a small group or Sunday school, these all feel like training to me. All things that God wants us to do to build up our faith, to strengthen our relationship with God, and with other believers. But actually sharing about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection with someone who needs to hear it is practice. That ultimately is what God wants us to do as the Church. That is His end goal in mind for us to live it AND share it.
I want to get better at sharing my faith daily. I want to be able to say at the end of my life, I did it, I faithfully shared the gospel with lost people in need of saving. But I'm not going to get any better at it by just reading my bible. Like a man who only ever trains his arms, he will become top-heavy and topple. I’ve been convinced that I just need to do it. Be bold, have courage, and practice sharing the message and hope of Jesus Christ. Our success is in our obedience to share. Not in the perfection of our words or the acceptance of salvation. God does the heart change, and at times, He will let me be a part of that. But if not, I still need to faithfully practice. I still need to do it.
How, where, and when is God convicting you to practice sharing the gospel?
Blessings,
Bryant Hart