When does it stop?

Have you ever been in a situation when you find yourself asking, "when will this end?" or "will it ever stop?"

Obvious examples could include an illness in yourself or a loved one. Maybe a troubled relationship that seems to be spiraling out of control. Or the "suffering" we seem to endure in our first world living situations...

I often ask God those questions when my seasons of suffering or struggling seem to be going *longer* than they should. (I say longer loosely- as if I have any idea about how long my seasons need to be!) But today I want to challenge you to view this question a little differently. Rather than a pleading, down-on-your-knees, "when does it stop?", I'd like to present it as a straightforward, literal question. When does it stop?

Ok, so when? is the question, but what is "it"??

"It", is the thing you're called to do as believers. "It" is the thing that so many of us find hard enough to do in the first place- let alone stay on top of it! "It" is sharing the Gospel with others, even the ones who are challenging and those whom we know deeply, and continuing to share Jesus's love and the Light only He can bring. 

When you're fighting for something: a cause, a person, rights, etc., it's obviously worth fighting for for the long haul...

right??

Whether it's babies, animals the hungry or the environment; if it's a cause you believe in, you're more likely to be willing to do your part to further said cause. 

But for how long?

You see a sad commercial and your emotions were touched; "zapped" may be more accurate. You all of a sudden have a passion for saving the _______. For a while you're signing online petitions, sharing information on social media, connecting with other people with a similar heart for the cause. Eventually, it seems to be a lot to keep up with. I mean, you know progress doesn't happen over night, but come onnnnnn. At this rate your great-great-grandchildren will be the ones to see the fruits of your labor. You are in a lot of groups, so you know that one of the other 100s, or 1,000s of people will be able to keep sharing to reach those who are unfamiliar with the cause. NJ uses paper straws in hopes of helping the environment- but I seriously question how my toddler using 4-5 straws vs the ONE plastic one helps.... but that's a post for another day. 

Any job I've ever had, has had-to some degree- a certain expectation of turnover. That although some people stick it out for the long haul, others may last a season, a year, or a few years. They've got plans for continued hiring and training to account for the members they lose along the way. 

Maybe that's why activists are SO passionate about their cause. Not only does the cause matter to them deeply, they have been in it long enough to know that sometimes, despite a gung-ho attitude, people fall off the bandwagon and move onto other things. They have to actively recruit and keep people engaged so that their numbers don't dwindle, therefore losing efficacy to fight for their beliefs. 

Christians- myself included- could take a page out of their books. 

The one thing we've got going for us as believers, is that once we have truly accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, that the Son of man who's death atoned for our sins once and for all, is coming back to save His bride, we don't have to worry about the enemy snatching us from His hand. At the end of all the days after truly accepting Jesus; we are Christians. As imperfect as we are, we are still Christians.

 Activists who are camping in trees in the rainforest one month chained to the trunks to keep them from being cut down, then living in their lavish apartment the next, most likely will have their their title of activist revoked- if they even still bring up that blip in their life. 

It's easy to get fired up for something and be hot-out-the-gate; sharing it on social media, with anyone who smiles at you at the grocery store. 

But how long is that supposed to last? How long are we supposed to share and share and share,  and follow up, follow up, follow up with people?? When does the "next wave" take over??

Some days I feel real tired. In my bones. My soul needs a nap. Those are the days I just skip right over the evangelizing and just settle with a genuine smile and some version of "I hope you have a really great day!" To be fair, the evangelizing I'm skipping isn't a full on Gospel commentary, but I omit the "hope to see you at Church on Sunday!", or "have a blessed day." But it's something that seals the deal: they saw me being kind, gracious if they're serving me, patient, and allowed them to be human! Not some flawless robotic device that has 0% error patterns. Now they hear the "God loves you" or "God bless" and are like, "Ohhhhh... so that's what was different about her." Or the one I really hope happens: "huh. Maybe my ideas on faith/Christianity/Jesus are off... I should go to church and check it out!"

But all that being said, I asked myself and God WHEN does our call to share the Gospel stop?
I do believe we're all called to share the Word with the world; ESPECIALLY the world. I also believe God wants us all to share in ways that are unique to us, so we can reach MORE people than if we all cookie-cutter-evangelize. If you're quiet, you likely won't reach people the same way I do. Or if you're well connected to the masses, your methods may vary from the person who connects more privately with smaller groups. 

I've always known Jesus thanks to my upbringing. But after I got saved and REALLY accepted Him into my heart, you love the Lord differently and now sharing Him with others seems *easier*... but what's that follow up look like? Is there follow up at all? 

I don't expect you all to follow up with me and ask how I'm handling the paper straw situation (not well, thank you), but I do think it would be great if someone checked in on me more about my walk with the Lord. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Remember that person you invited to church, but after they said no you kind of just dropped it? Where are they at? Not necessarily with their walk with the Lord, but in general. Are they still hurting? Do they still struggle? Are they "good"- but it's the world giving them the illusion of joy and peace?

If so, maybe you can just show them the love of Jesus until they're ready to head to church with you. 

Or that person who you met at a study- already a believer- who hasn't been coming around church much. Do you reach out and ask if they're ok?.... or no? Someone else who knows her more will do that...

right??

Like seriously- is there a handbook for this? If so, where is this handbook and how do I get access!?

There is. It's the Bible. Loaded with tips and tricks about how to share the Gospel, stand up to opposition, and if you're taking it seriously, you'll get put in your place a time or two when you hear about some "real" struggles. 

*PLEASE KNOW I'm not dismissing your, my, or anyone's hardships or struggles. They are very real and VERY valid. I'm simply saying those of us in the United States of America are free to worship freely, and with only moderate censorship online... we can share with A/C and a fresh water; where some of the disciples were in prison and beaten.... you get my drift. 

But when we're passionate about something and we share it with the world, we get some people on board but then what?

Since getting saved, it's been relatively effortless to share how the Lord has moved in my life. Social media makes it easy- though it presents its own challenges. I share how GOOD God is, how He's helped and humbled me, He's literally save me from myself more times than I can count. Occasionally I'd share a message from PJ (Pastor Jeff if you missed my earlier post) and write a more direct note, stressing the importance and urgency of salvation, but they're few and far between. 

What if your best friend who was on the fence about their salvation ran into me at the WaWa? What if my crazy blue hair was what it took to get her talking to another Christian who, with God speaking through her, could help lead her to Him... but I was having an off day so I kept my head down and an opportunity was missed? Someone is counting on my obedience; it's greater than me.

What if YOU were out and about and were having an off day, and someone that is near and dear to MY heart, but not so close to Jesus, encounters you?! Can I count on you to be obedient despite a bad day, as this is greater than you, too?

Hard truth: we are not going to be "enough" to motivate one another into evangelizing on the best of the best days. We have to have GOD in mind to do that. We have to love one another as JESUS loves us. Not how we love each other because that ends in a mess. We've got to get over this idea of "someone else can do it", because dang it, we  aren't called to sit and be idle. We are the body- these parts gotta get MOVIN'! 

As you go to bed each evening, and when you wake up each morning. I want you to ask God to burden your heart with what burdens His. I ask that you ask for the bravery and boldness to say something to someone, that His light can shine so brightly in you, people can't help but stick around to see what's different. Pray for feet that step out in obedience, even if you 'feel' frozen.

 One "howdy ho" might not lead them to the Kingdom, but it can open a line of communication that God can use through you. Will we be obedient?

You are the ONE He leaves the 99 for. Will you trust Him to carry you through the hard things to grow His flock?