I'd been talking about evangelism with a friend's child. And, to illustrate my point, I mentioned that new people had just moved in down the street. I said that I wanted to make the effort to get to know them and planned to pray for them and invite them to church.
I was expecting a barrage of questions. After all, adults always question things when it comes to mission. How will you approach them? What will you pray? Will you build up relationships with them before issuing the invitation? When is the best time to call? Won't they think you odd? Aren't you scared? ... But the questions didn't come. Instead, I got 5 words that stopped me in my tracks.
What are you waiting for?
Her rationale was simple. If God is that important, and they don't yet know him, then they need to be told the gospel. And so it's just plain weird that I'm only planning it rather than doing it.
She had a point! I didn't have a good answer. Of course, I could waffle generally about my busy diary but that brought the sort of withering look that only a 10 year old can muster. I had to face facts, I was talking the talk but not walking the walk.
Looking back over my life, there are lots of days that fall into that category. Lots of moments when I've made a mental note that it would be good to get alongside someone, pray for them and witness to them but then something else cropped up. Of course, there have been moments too when I have befriended neighbours and told them about Jesus but they are far fewer than the instances of me staying quiet.
So, what am I waiting for? Am I waiting for it to be safe - for some sign that they are going to welcome me with open arms and enjoy talking about God - before I open my mouth? Am I waiting for it to be convenient - for a free evening to spontaneously appear in my diary when I'm feeling refreshed and eager to serve? Or am I waiting for a spiritual buzz - one of those moments where God feels particularly close? It could be any of those things. But the bottom line is I'm waiting for a moment when I won't have to count the cost too much. I'm waiting for that moment when evangelism will be just a little bit easier than I fear it might be.
What about you? What's stopping you chatting to your neighbour? Your work colleague? Your in-laws?
There is a place for gentleness. It's good to listen. We don't have to tell people the whole gospel in the first conversation we have with them. And there's a call love practically, by example, as well as in words. But the call to seize the day is there. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, writes: "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)
So why not take that opportunity right now. Pray for that family member who you find it so hard to engage with before you click off this page. Buy a book or a tract to pass on to someone you know. Or, better still, assuming you're not reading this at 2 in the morning, log off and walk down the street and knock on that new neighbour's door and invite them round for a cuppa.
What are you waiting for?
