I perceive a shift taking place in the earth. I am not certain what it means, but I sense that it is time to focus on bringing the lost the message of eternal life. I say it this way because evangelism—as it is known in the traditional church setting—is about getting someone saved. Although there is nothing wrong with the method in and of itself, every Christ follower knows that salvation is far deeper than asking Jesus to forgive your sins and come into his or her life.
Salvation is about a life change. It is about surrendering your will, your desires, your plans, to the will, desires and plans of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
This unexpected journey has brought me to many unexpected places over the years. The journey to a close personal relationship with the godhead is possibly the most profound part of the journey. For, in this season, I am seeing the need to unashamedly allowing the life of Jesus to be seen in my daily life.
This does not mean that I have an agenda with step by step directions that I am to take. Nor does it mean that I have a carefully crafted script that I am to memorize and repeat to the people I meet. It means simply being myself in the light of the Son of God living in and through me.
The writings of the Apostle Peter call this hope. He says that Christ followers are to be ready to explain the hope that is in us. Consider the impact of this. When do people need hope? They need hope when there is a feeling of hopelessness. The world today is becoming hopeless. The issues, crises, and global threats, put doubts and uncertainties into our minds. If answers are not given, then hopelessness begins to set in; the longer the uncertainty, the deeper the hopelessness.
In this case, a single person with hope will shine like a beacon to those around them. This is what I am talking about when I say allowing the life of Jesus, to be seen, in my/our daily life. I have done nothing any different than I do every day of my life, and yet it gets the attention of people around me in hopeless situations.
I know it sounds too simple, but that is what simple church—another part of this unexpected journey—is about, being the called out, rather than doing rituals.
If what I am sensing is accurate, then humanity is entering a time of testing that could be connected to the end of time and the return of Messiah, Jesus Christ. I have no idea if this is accurate or not; I only know that something within me is sensing a change taking place.
I know that a desire to study evangelism has been in my heart for some time. The article Revival by one is a result of that desire. It could be an excitingly scary time. The fulfillment of the Father’s promise for the returning of his Son, coupled with the many uncertainties of the events leading up to it.
It makes sense that such a time would cause hope to plummet in the earth, while hope-filled Christ followers would become lighthouses of comfort to the many looking for hope.
Anyway, I have put it out there. It will be wise to carefully read, paying close attention to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in your heart.