There have been many times where I have just wanted to give up, quit, lay down and let someone else take it. If I am being completely honest, sharing the good news with people is sometimes uncomfortable.
I remember being a very new Christian. I was devoted to and diligent in trying to understand the word of God. I wanted so greatly to learn more about Jesus and to share it with others, but I had the hardest time with getting people to accept it. To me, it was exciting and new; to others, Jesus was just some good guy that lived 2000 years ago. Religion in America has put a distaste for Jesus in the mouths of most people.
Let’s face it: when you’re excited, enthusiastic, and zealous for the good news your God has revealed to you, it is disheartening when others brush it off like it's nothing.
So here are a few things that have helped me and might help you when telling others about the kingdom of God.
Do good to others even if you know you will not get anything out of it.
Be friends with people just for the sake of being friends. No agenda.
Don’t let one person discourage you from sharing it with the next.
Worrying about what someone else will think won't get you anywhere.
Learn to shake the dust off of your feet.
In this instance, I like to think of the parable of the sower from Mark 4. Sometimes we will run across people who will hear it, but won’t do anything with it; they will just leave it alone (the Road, Mark 4:15). Others will hear it, jump on it, be excited, and want to accept it, but will eventually give it up because it's not what they thought it was going to be (the Rocky, Mark 4:16-17). Some will hear the word, but their worries about being connected to the world, gaining riches, and desiring other things will eventually choke it out (the Thorny, Mark 4:18-19). But there will be some where it sticks, where nothing could take it away, where they receive it, and where it takes root and becomes fruitful (the Good, Mark 4:20).
Sharing the kingdom with people is sometimes discouraging, disappointing, hard, and even inconvenient, but it is well worth the effort. Even though we might hit tough places, it is so encouraging to see others come to Jesus, love Him, and share Him with others. So keep trying. Do your best to present the good news to people with love, grace, and truth without fear of rejection. Because truthfully, they are not rejecting your word-they are rejecting God's. So shake the dust off of your feet and share the news with those who will receive it.
That was really food for thought. Thank you for sharing.