According to 2 Corinthians 5:20, we are ambassadors for Christ, sharing the good news of the Gospel with everyone we meet. But here’s the most delightful part — we are workers not just for Him, but with Him. He doesn’t send us on an assignment, wishing us luck as we leave. No, moment by moment He’s with us as we talk to, share with, and love people. And He’s with them, too! This gives me a great deal of confidence in ministry.
If you were hungry, I could share with you my peanut butter and pickle sandwich. But I would not be certain it would minister to you. Maybe you’d like it, but maybe you wouldn’t. Thus, it would be with a certain amount of apprehension that I would offer it to you.
There are a number of things we could sell or share about which we’d feel some hesitancy. But when we share Jesus Christ, all hesitancy dissipates — for He is guaranteed. Consequently, to the person who comes to me with a troubled heart, I can say, ‘Let me pray with you right now because Jesus is truly right here — and He will give you peace. He’ll walk with you through this valley. He’ll make Himself known to you in the right way at the right time. I know this to be so.’
I’ve yet to send a person out to seek the Lord who has come back saying, ‘It didn’t work. I prayed. I read my Bible. I talked to Him. I waited on Him. But it didn’t work.’ That’s because the promise of James 4:8 is that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us — not that He might draw near — but that He will. |
