Something Epic» Just Walk Across the Room http://www.somethingepic.com Encouraging radical lives that matter Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:01:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 en hourly 1 Motivation for evangelism http://www.somethingepic.com/motivation-for-evangelism/ http://www.somethingepic.com/motivation-for-evangelism/#comments Mon, 14 Aug 2006 12:29:45 +0000 Sarah Lewis http://www.somethingepic.com/2006/08/14/motivation-for-evangelism/ As I recently mentioned, I’m reading “Just Walk Across the Room” by Bill Hybels. In just the introduction and the first chapter, there has been plenty of though-provoking material.

The premise of the book is that sometimes evangelism is not about having a polished testimony, or knowing all the texts meant to convert people, but rather, it’s just the willingness to notice another person and reach out to him.

This concept certainly isn’t a new one, but I like its presentation in this book. The author illustrates this idea clearly through a bunch of personal stories. He also tackles the deeper question of “why isn’t this our first instinct, anyway?”

One of the questions at the end of chapter one tackles this a bit. It is actually a set of true-or-false statements:

  • I believe that every person I know would be better off living God’s way.
  • I live my life in such a way that others around me know I believe this.
  • I want to become more of a walk-across-the-room man or woman who jumps all over evangelistic opportunities God lays in my path.
  • I’m willing to let go of other passions so that God’s people can take top priority.

I don’t know about you, but for me, some of those questions are hard-hitting. For the record, my answers:

  • I believe that every person I know would be better off living God’s way.
    Yes (in my head).
  • I live my life in such a way that others around me know I believe this.
    Doubtful. I’d be surprised if anyone would say that, actually.
  • I want to become more of a walk-across-the-room man or woman who jumps all over evangelistic opportunities God lays in my path.
    Yes yes and yes. (This is why I’m reading the book!) The trouble is that I feel like the answer to the first statement has to change (from “in my head” to “deeply in every part of my being”) before that can happen. It seems like a lot to ask of a book to deliver that change. (And yes, before I spark too many suggestions to this effect, I have prayed—and am praying—for this heart penetration. I’m not relying on just a stack of pages for this. I am open to your suggestions, though!)
  • I’m willing to let go of other passions so that God’s people can take top priority.
    And this might be the key to the other issues. I’m tentatively willing. Basically, my take on this is that I’m trying my best to be open to God’s will, but He’s going to have to take care of the desire (again, I’m praying for this, so I’m not totally passive here). If He wants me to lay aside other passions, He’s going to have to give my heart a reason—something that it understands in order to collaborate with my head.

    • How do you answer these questions?

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