Way #46 – Let’s talk about Jesus

Sitting at Starbucks, eavesdropping as I sheepishly admit I’m prone to do, I was fascinated by the conversation of two young men sitting across from me. They were talking about application development. One of them was creating an app; the other works for a tech company where he develops them. I was intrigued by what they knew and could do with technology.

They must have noticed I was listening. The more outgoing one, Ryan, brought me into the conversation. After learning a bit about both of them, Ryan asked, “What do you do?” I fumbled for words before saying, “I write women’s Bible studies. I blog. I write and teach about Jesus.”

“Cool,” they both responded. Then Ryan spent the next 30 minutes talking about the life and accomplishments of Steve Jobs. He described in great detail how Jobs shaped our world, and how his legacy will continue as technology he conceived years ago continues to be developed. I loved listening to them. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and getting to know them. Yet, getting in my car to drive home, I was grieved at the course of the conversation. I asked myself:

Why didn’t I talk about Jesus?

Don’t I know Someone far more interesting and far more important than Steve Jobs?

Doesn’t what I know about Jesus have a far greater bearing on the course and destiny of their lives, much more than Steve Jobs could ever have?

Did I think sharing my beliefs would be pushing myself or my beliefs on them?

Was I afraid I wouldn’t adequately express and defend the truth I wanted to communicate with them?

Was I afraid I’d offend them, or appear as if I’m judging them?

Had I been deluded into thinking that there’s not a longing for Jesus hidden deep within them?

Why didn’t I share with them what I believe about Jesus?

Couldn’t I have introduced the thought that all they’re truly looking for, what we’re all looking for, is found in Jesus? It’s how we were wired by the One who created us.

Isn’t Jesus THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I could ever share with them?

The most loving thing we can do is tell people about Jesus: about the relationship we have with Him; how the longings in our soul are satisfied in living in relationship with Him; and most importantly, how important it is for them to know Him too. We must share with them how He loves them and gave His life so He wouldn’t have to be separated from them.

Jesus wants a relationship with them and they need Him! None of us can lose sight of that. While it may sound arrogant, offensive or narrow-minded, the truth is that we are all headed to eternity in hell if we don’t turn to Him. Will I, will we, love people enough to share Jesus? We’ve got something — actually Someone — amazing to talk about. Let’s practice Way #46 of 52 Ways to Glorify God, doing it every day in God-led ways:

Talk to others about Jesus

“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you”   1 Peter 2:9-10 (The Message Bible).