Today’s the day. The big day. You’ve prayed about it, you’ve made promises to GOD about it. But now you’re dreading it, hating it and doing everything you can to weasel your way out of it. Today’s the day you’re supposed to share your faith with a friend. Ahhhhhhhhh! If you’re a guy, you would think that asking someone out on a date was the scariest thing in the world. If you’re a girl, you figured that going on that date was the scariest thing in the world. Either way, you’re wrong. Fating is NOTHING compared to what you’re about to do. This is it! You’re about to face REJECTION, or RIDICULE. And give someone permission to say “Shut Up! You’re a BIG FAT HYPOCRITE!” Oh joy.
What on earth were you thinking? How did you ever talk yourself into this Evangelism thing? Your mind drowns in visions of what will happen when you open your mouth. Maybe you’ll bare your soul and then your friend disagrees and then you’ll argue, and then your friend will ask questions that you don’t know answers to. Then you’ll walk away knowing that your friend now thinks you’re an idiot, and wondering how you’ll face each other again, and whether or not your relationship will be weird from now on. Maybe it’s time to think about boarding school. Then again, maybe your friend will just say, “Oh, that’s nice” and then change the subject. That would be a relief.
Then, there’s the REALLY scary possibility: What if your friend says, “YES”? What will you do next? Will you pray together? Right there in the middle of McDonald’s! What happens if your friend “opens up” and starts telling you about sins and horrible things in his or her life? Then what will you do? After all, you merely wanted to share your faith. What if your friend starts sharing dirty laundry? This is NOT what you signed up for!
OKAY, STOP! This all sounds like silly trumped-up paranoia. And it is. But that doesn’t stop your fertile mind from racing through all the reasons why you shouldn’t share your faith. And if you’re honest, you’ll admit that you’ve thought of some of these silly things too, and they’ve truly scared you. Guess what? Me too. I’m truly scared. And when we admit that we are, the battle’s half over. So let’s say it together: “I’m Scared!” Now let’s take on the rest of the battle. Some of life’s greatest adventures are scary. Love and Marriage, and not to mention obeying your parents, giving away your money, making it to college! Scary, scary, scary. But you take them in stride, knowing that your fears aren’t FATAL, and good things await you on the other side. And if you are a Christian, then your FAITH is bigger than your fears.
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