How to Share the Gospel With Your Whole Heart

Have you ever been in a conversation and knew, just knew, it could lead to the Gospel, but you weren’t quite sure how to get there?

I have, many times.

But, the amazing truth is that there is something beautiful that always leads the way to the deeper things of God. It is our story. In each of our stories there are universal themes of exile, homecoming, grief, peace, fear, courage, doubt, faith, despair and hope and many more. And, always, always, through the lens we have been given, there is the redeeming love of God given freely through the Gospel.

I have been writing a memoir since August. I have felt free and even called to do this. But, I also have been struggling with how it seems somewhat…pretentious. Who do I think I am? How can I spend so much time on something that doesn’t directly right-here-right-now affect the ministry? I have felt sure that I just need to grow up and get to the real work!

But this is a very shallow view of the purpose God gives in the knowing and telling of our stories. He creates story when He first whispers into time to speak, ‘Let there be…’ And because His Story is the Gospel and we are His, any experience or truth from our story provides an immediate context for the Gospel.

Here are three ways to Share the Gospel with your whole heart , and your story ::

1)      Ask Good Questions :: Often it is a simple ‘How Are You’? And, depending on the nature of the relationship, hold their hand, touch their shoulder or just still and really look into their eyes to show them that you really want to know.  Many times, the Lord will open a door into their heart. Through their chronicling of loss, betrayal, discouragement or any of the hard things, you have a humble place to offer hope through your own honest dealing with these things in your story.


2)      Learn to See ::  In Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians (and us) in Chapter 1, v. 17-18 he prays
‘ that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you.’

God wants to give us His eyes as we walk this world. They infuse us, our stories, with hope and this flows outward. We learn to see through the barriers someone is putting up and pray them down in hope. When they come down, they are ready to receive a fresh perspective of the Gospel.

 
3)      Do the Work :: Know Your Story. Learn it well. It really is how we become ready with a ‘reason for the hope that is in [us]’. I Peter 3:15 I have been amazed (though I shouldn’t be) at how beautifully God is weaving the writing of a memoir into opportunities to share the Gospel. The writing leads me to my questions and to searching out God as I hunt for how He has met me in the dark places. It is humbling and soaks me in the truth of His Gospel. This naturally spills out in conversations or a blog post that those who don’t know Jesus read.

Trust the Author of the Great Story who writes Himself on every page of His story and ours. The Word takes on flesh and dwells among us in grace and truth. (John 1:14) This becomes the story that we live authentically and so, share with the world.

About Abby

I am wife to a wonderful man, mama to three precious now-little-but-soon-will-not-be loves. Each born in a different place--two states including 2 states and 2 countries. I am a farm girl who found her heart in the city. I can now claim fluency in 3 languages :: English, Spanish & Hungarian.This combined with the all-too-true 'mommy brain' explains much regarding my mental state most days;) I am a sojourner longing for Home. Yet, in my messy and broken, I embrace the moments given with all I have. I am seeking, praying, and learning again and again that it is for His Glory I live. My prayer is that my little life would make much of Him! I write regularly at Abigail Alleman.

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