4 Ways to Share to the Lost
After I dropped my daughters off at school, I was getting gas to fill my car up for the week. I was waiting to finish up when another car, blaring music zoomed by to park on the opposite pump from me. A younger male stumbled out of the car & a fifth bottle of whisky toppled out on the pavement. He looked at me & scrambled the bottle back into the car, cursing to himself. There was a female passenger with him who was roaring with laughter. He quickly got gas & left. At first, I was mad. It was in the morning & he could kill someone or himself but he didn’t care. I should have called the police. What a moron. I finished filling up & I just sat in the driver's seat for a moment. Was I THAT stupid?? Then, a voice whispered, “Yes, you were.” That voice (maybe it was my conscience or the Holy Spirit) was right. I was drinking my life away & nobody could save me - until God did. Yes, the facts were right - they're probably drunk & shouldn’t be driving, but I was in that same boat in the past. I felt stupid to judge this couple. They were sinning but I was sinning too. God, forgive me.
“Do not judge others, & you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, & you will be forgiven.” - Luke 6:37
I’ve been thinking about how I can be more active to go out with compassion & grace to others, especially those who are lost. I’ve got 4 ways that I wrote down in my journal & wanted to share them for you to ponder on too:
1. Always have empathy for others
Empathy is the action of understanding & sharing the feelings with others. Sometimes, having empathy with another person can be difficult, especially if they’re living in a chaotic & selfish lifestyle. But we don’t have to agree that ideas or actions are right to have empathy. You just have to understand what those behaviors are coming from. Jesus is the perfect example of having empathy. He knows everything about everybody - even the darkest secrets humans have. But His love & compassion of His people trumps any sins we have. He bore our sins on the cross to give hope to those who want salvation & hope. I think if people had more empathy, we could share the love that Christ does everyday without judgment for others.
“The LORD is merciful & compassionate, slow to get angry & filled with unfailing love. The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” - Psalms 145:8-9
2: Start volunteering for the community
Maybe you want to give back to the world but you don’t know how, volunteering is a great way to do that. There’s so many ways to volunteer, the options are endless. Schools, hospitals, libraries, churches, food banks, etc. are a great start to look for volunteer work. You can give your time, knowledge & perhaps, share your faith! Volunteering is a perfect way to share Christ with others, especially if they’re hungry for salvation. Opportunity is there, you just have to set a moment to do it.
“Don’t forget to do good & to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” - Hebrews 13:16
3: Turn the selfish mode off
I’m guilty of being preoccupied by myself & my world with no concern of the feelings & needs of others. I’m worried about my life, my health, my family, my wants & cravings - me, me, ME. I think I’m not alone. We are consumed with our “needs” & our desires that we’re blinded to others. If you look around, there’s broken people everywhere that need Jesus. Getting out of your bubble can change your mind for good, if you’re willing. It’s challenging if you’re really struggling (I get it!), but helping people can change them & you forever.
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3
4: Go on a mission trip
You’ve probably heard about going on a mission trip from church, school, fair booth, mail pamphlet etc. Perhaps, you wanted to go but you had work, school or you don’t have the means of funding to go. The “maybe” list goes on…but if you can change lives for eternity, would that change your mind? If you haven’t gone yet, I would encourage you to go - even once in your lifetime. To share the Good News & love of Christ can’t compare to any worldly items that are given.
“But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, & fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” - 2 Timothy 4:5
I think about that intoxicated couple a lot. They remind me how I was in the past & how broken the people still are. It’s going to get even worse. But if we save 1 person from death to life with salvation in Jesus, would that be worth it?
Have you gone on a mission trip or have you volunteered recently? Do you feel like you should start to have more empathy for someone? All of these ways are another step to be more like Christ & change our mindset for good.
