With this wheelchair I often hear: "Got a driver's license for that thing?"
Hi, I'm Joni Eareckson Tada and it’s amazing how many people strike up conversations with me, even if it's a phrase like "Hey, let me see your drivers' license." I don't mind when people do that... I kind of like it. Most Christians have to jump-start conversations with strangers, but that's hardly the case with me. My wheelchair always does the "initiating" and I merely sit back and respond.
Like sometimes when I'm in an elevator, I'm fascinated by how many people will look at me and say out of nowhere, "My, you have a nice smile" or "You sure do look happy." That’s the bonus of living in a wheelchair: people don’t expect me to smile or look happy. And the remarks occur regularly enough that I always readily reply: "Well, this smile is because I have a reason for living." Boy, does that get them looking at me curiously, at which point I add, “Jesus has blessed me... and... what's your reason for living?"
Sure it catches people off guard, and sometimes they freeze or rush out of the elevator when the doors open. But one thing is for certain, those few words get them thinking. And I get to praying for their soul to be softened, whether they keep talking to me or walk away. I'm convinced these encounters aren't by mistake; they are my opportunities to sink an itchy suggestion of eternity in their hearts.
Some would say that's not much of a witness. More should be said. Invite them to church. Get their address. Call and do follow-up. When it comes to evangelism, we all have firm ideas on way it should be done. Map out a neighborhood, divvy up in teams then go knocking door-to-door. Find a street corner, stand up on a soap box, and start preaching. Or be culturally relevant; use the slang of the day when giving the Gospel.
But you know the truth is, I've never heard of one style of giving the Gospel that was a sure-fire success. That's why I'll do whatever I can, where ever I'm able, in however much time's permitted, even if it's softly singing Amazing Grace waiting in line at the drugstore.
Long ago I realized there is no nuclear weapon of evangelism that will blow people out of the water and into the Gospel boat. It's never that simple. A person usually comes to Christ having picked up bits and pieces of the Gospel along the way, nudged forward, until finally, under the pressure of somebody’s prayer, his heart opens to the Truth.
I think that methods of evangelism are little more than what one person has called “pithy pea shooters” that we pray will reach their bulls-eye. And so, we do the best we can, grab an opportunity here, nurturing a conversation there, sprinkling it with prayer, seasoning it with our testimony, then offering it up to people who don't know Jesus. And -- hey -- the need is so great and the darkness so thick that almost any approach is needed. And friend if you need a few Gospel tracts… if you want to use them, I have five I’d like to send you – three in English and two in Spanish. It’s called “Amazing Love”, this little Gospel tract. Just go online to joniandfriends.org and ask for it. Tuck these little tracts into a note card, or give them with a tip at a restaurant, or tuck them into payment for a bill. The point is, there really is no one never-fail, guaranteed method of sharing the Gospel. It’s all up to the Holy Spirit anyway and how He uses your words and witness you share. The key thing is, start pointing people to Jesus. God will use your words... and people will come to know him. That's a guarantee from the Spirit of Jesus Himself.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
© Joni and Friends