Paul next traveled to Athens, Greece, where…
...he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. Acts 17:16-17 (NIV)
Paul visited two places where people gathered to look for opportunities to share the gospel. God wants us to be alert for such chances to talk to people about Jesus. A skilled fisherman will go where he believes there will be fish to catch. The skilled angler will know what bait to use, at what depth to fish, etc. God wants us to use our wits to go where we can find people, but, more importantly, to listen to the Holy Spirit.
Jesus advised his disciples to…
Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see [to be reconciled to God].’ Matthew 22:9 (NLT)
I believe this translates to our getting out in our neighborhoods with the intent to talk to people about Jesus, should the opportunity arise. This must be done with wisdom, love, and consideration. We don’t want people running inside every time we go outside. 🙂
I believe it is a great idea for us followers of Christ to make it a practice to be present where people gather with the express purpose of seeing what God might do.
This will require us to be alert, relaxed, and lovingly bold. It will give us an opportunity to hone our conversational skills so that we can easily talk to people about spiritual things without making them feel uncomfortable. If we use conversation to discover more about them, their situations, and needs, we will likely find a way to offer to pray for them or to share how Christ could be the answer they seek. The more we do this, the easier it will get, the more relaxed we will become, and the more we will enjoy it. The Holy Spirit is waiting for us to get in the game, so to speak. We cannot make an impact on anyone by sitting on the sidelines. God is already at work in people’s lives. He is looking for teammates.
So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:38 (NLT)
