As Christians, many of us have felt the pressure to share the Gospel with our friends.
It can feel like it’s our responsibility to make sure they hear the message, come to faith, and become believers. This sense of urgency, while rooted in love and care, can often lead to unnecessary pressure. But what happens when we realise it’s not all on us?
A few years ago, I hosted a small Bible gathering with some friends. They weren’t Christians, but they were open and curious. One person in particular, Dave, seemed to be seeking something deeper. After reading a passage from the Bible, we took a moment of silence, encouraging everyone to reflect. Then something unexpected happened.
Dave shared, “I had a vision of Jesus on the cross, and He said, ‘Believe.’”
I was amazed. It felt like a breakthrough. I asked him, “What do you think it means?”
His response surprised me: “I don’t know.”
In that moment, I thought, Really? I suggested, “Maybe it means you should believe?”
“Maybe,” he said. But nothing changed that night. A week later, I caught up with Dave and asked about the vision again. His response was still the same—he wasn’t sure what to make of it.
What I learned from this experience was profound. Even with a vision of Jesus in front of him, Dave wasn’t ready to believe. It showed me that no matter how much we want to help people find faith, it ultimately isn’t up to us. People must respond to God in their own time.
We often put pressure on ourselves to be effective evangelists, thinking we have to convince others to believe. But the truth is, God is at work, and we are simply a part of the process.
For anyone feeling like they’re not doing enough to help others find faith, let me reassure you—you’re not alone. I, too, have felt like I wasn’t good enough at sharing the Gospel. But the reality is, sometimes our role is just to plant the seed. It’s not our job to make it grow.
Fifteen years later, Dave still isn’t a Christian. He’s living his life, happy as ever. And that’s okay. If you’re feeling the heat, take it off yourself. God works in ways we don’t always understand, and it’s up to each person to respond in their own time.
We aren’t responsible for the outcome—God is. All we can do is offer our “two bits,” trusting that in His timing, He will reach those He calls.
Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.
Feature image: Photo by Clarisse Meyer on Unsplash