Evangelism Jitters

What if I say the wrong thing?

What if I can’t answer her questions?

What if I totally botch the conversation?

These were just a few of the fearful questions swirling around in my brain last week as I anticipated 1:00 PM on Thursday. This was the time I had arranged to meet with an unbeliever who wanted to ask me questions about God.

Come Thursday morning I “happened” to check a blog I occasionally read and here was the post for that day:

Election Fuels Evangelism

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision,  “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (AC 18.9-11)

Election and evangelism work together.  God had chosen many in Corinth – he called them “my people” – though they were not yet saved.  Because they were elect, God told Paul not to fear but keep proclaiming the gospel.  Far from producing apathy, God’s sovereignty fueled Paul’s evangelism.

God has people all around us that he sees as saved.  Let’s go on speaking and not be silent.

My apprehension immediately lifted.

This woman’s salvation was not dependent on me. God is the one who saves.

I simply needed to speak.

So speak I did. I certainly wasn’t eloquent. In fact, I don’t think I did a very good job.

Yet my deficiencies didn’t seem to diminish this woman’s interest. Even though she didn’t put her trust in Jesus Christ, she’s responding. She’s seeking.

Sitting in Starbucks that Thursday afternoon, my heart thrilled to think that perhaps she is one of God’s elect. And however feeble my effort, I know God was with me—he gave me grace to speak and not be silent.