Kindness – Real Evangelism

Have you ever had someone do or say something kind to you and you felt, in that moment, like the burden that you were carrying became lighter? For that one brief second, in the midst of your pain you felt your heart smile.

“The Great Commission” in Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT), as it has become known, says:

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I don’t know about you but the thought of standing on a street corner or approaching strangers to tell them about Jesus scares the pants off me. I LOVE talking to and listening to people but to accost them unawares to preach at them frightens me more than I care to say. How about you?

Years ago when I attended a Prophetic School, part of our practical lessons was to go to a local shopping centre, approach people and ask them if we could pray for them. This terrified me. I went with a beautiful friend who I had met at the course. We asked Jesus who to go to and we felt we were meant to approach a lady in the crowd. We had our first target. Man was I scared! We said hello, explained that we would like to pray for her, and that we wondered if she had anything that she would like prayer for. The look of relief on her face was quickly followed by the relief in our hearts. The lady then relayed a story of her family and how she desperately wanted an awful situation rectified. She was so grateful for the prayers and she left us smiling. My confidence rose. From then on, it became fun. Not one person out of everyone we approached said, “No”. Everyone was so grateful.

Now, I am not telling you that you have to do that. I am just saying that there are different ways to show the goodness of God without ever mentioning that they NEED salvation through Jesus.

A Surprising Result

Not too long ago, I met up with a person that I have not seen for years and years. It was a wonderful reunion and she said something that thoroughly amazed me. Apparently I had said something to her that really encouraged her at a time that was very trying and difficult for her. I was embarrassed and admitted that I didn’t remember it but she said that she had not mentioned how she was struggling at the time. She told me how it had kept her going and she thought of my kind words often. Suicide had been in her thoughts but because I had stepped out and spoke kindness to her, she didn’t pursue that path. Wow! I had no idea. I went home and cried. I cried for the struggle that this dear person was going through and I cried because who was I that God should use me in such a powerful way to encourage someone that I didn’t know well at all! I cried in gratefulness to God that He DID use me at that time. The best part in all of this is that it opened the door for me to talk about Jesus ….. and we have been talking about Him ever since.

What Questions Are You Being Asked?

I was again listening to Bill Johnson this past week while I was asking the Lord what to write about here. I had really been thinking about kindness and sharing Jesus with people without pushing them away. Bill said we, as Believers, are “answering the questions that the world isn’t asking,” meaning, we are trying to tell the world that they need Jesus and that they are going to hell if they don’t change. This is true but these aren’t the questions they are asking. The world is asking how to find purpose, how to make their businesses work, how to raise competent, mature children, how to have enough money to live on, etc. If we can answer these questions for them and support them in their journey, then we can answer the questions that they need to be asking.

What questions are those around you asking you? What is on their hearts? What are they struggling with or concerned about? In what ways can you be a support to them?

Listening Speaks 

I have always made it a habit to speak to the people who serve me at the shops. I always ask how they are and assure them that I really am asking and that it isn’t just a platitude to pass the time. More times than not they open up and tell me what’s on their heart. By the time the last item goes in the bag, they are usually smiling. Not always, but most of the time.

I try to make the time to care, even when I am doing the mundane, necessary things like grocery shopping for my family.

How can you affect the world around you, your world of influence, no matter how big or small it is? We all have one. What is a kindness that you can do today?

• Write a card or a short note to someone you haven’t spoken to or seen in a while
• Ask someone what you could do for them this week
• Send a text or email to someone with the point of encouraging them in their day
• Make your family their favourite meal
• Hug your children and tell them of what you love about them
• Bring your neighbours bins in for them
• Prepare a meal for someone you know, maybe someone who has young children and needs a break from the kitchen
• Buy someone flowers
• Say “hi” to the new person at work, church, playgroup, or wherever you are and help them to feel welcome

Jesus didn’t belittle people by telling them of their desperate need for Himself and salvation. He met people at their point of need – we must do the same.

What are some ideas that you have? I would love you to share them in the comments below.

Be kind to someone today. Be intentional in your kindness. You never know how it will encourage a broken heart that is hiding.

Many blessings to you today.

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