KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — While relaxing at a café in October, I felt compelled to share the Gospel with a patron from the Netherlands who was here to watch his girlfriend compete in the Ironman Triathlon. Normally, I’m reluctant to evangelize in places of leisure. People go to such places to decompress from life’s stressors or at least be alone with their thoughts. Even if the participants in a theological conversation are amiable about it, others within hearing distance might be disturbed. However, after looking around and seeing that I and the Dutchman were the only customers in the café, I decided to talk with him. If he demonstrated any reluctance about the topic, I could always back off.
After engaging in some lighthearted dialogue for a few minutes, I asked my new Dutch friend, whose name was Gerard, what he believed about Jesus. At first, Gerard was startled by my question. He said “In my culture, we would consider that a private matter.” I said, “Okay; that’s cool,” and was prepared to drop the conversation. Then, somewhat to my surprise, Gerard opened up about his spiritual perspective and doubts he had concerning Jesus. I recounted to him doubts that I’d had in the past and how God proved His existence to me and demonstrated Christ to be the true representation of His identity.
At the end of our conversation, I thanked Gerard for opening up to me and not brushing me aside. He said “I didn’t mind the conversation at all. I can tell you just really care about my well-being.” Gerard even offered to buy me a drink from the café, which I declined because I already had my coffee in-hand. As he prepared to leave, I offered him a Gospel tract, which he received and promised to read.
The Apostle Paul admonishes us to “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” I have certainly, in the past, been unwise in the way I have acted toward “outsiders” (which refers to non-Christians). I have been selfish, unwilling to invite people to participate in the grace of the Gospel because the very thought of a potential confrontation made me uncomfortable. I have also been unwilling to sacrifice my leisure time to explain or remind people about the blessings offered to them in Jesus. As an introvert, I am prone to this shortcoming. This year, more than ever before, I’ve been working to correct this.
My intention is not to suggest that we need to go out looking to share the Gospel with people every time we leave our homes. There are occasions in which it would be too difficult, too awkward or even inappropriate to engage people in Gospel conversations. What I am saying is we should be prepared to proclaim Jesus whenever we interact with someone who has yet to taste the joy of worshiping him. We might well be presented with an opportune occasion. To do so is unquestionably the best use of any time we spend with a non-Christian.
If you would like to make a financial contribution to Raymond Billy, Click Here.
