Loving People, Sharing the Gospel

One of my jobs involves finding people who are receptive to the gospel in ‘unlikely’ places. I meet many people who are broken in one way or another, some more obvious than others. When I spot clues, I look for ways to respond to them. Often it starts with meeting a practical or emotional need – having a conversation, remembering someone’s name and circumstances. Other times it appears unexpectedly. For example, in a casual conversation, when someone shares that they are at a crossroads. Each encounter is a gift, a gift to at least start the conversation that there is a greater hope – hope in Jesus. At some point, the kindness and care demonstrated becomes distinct from their personal experience and the curiosity and interest begins. Trust grows, moments of vulnerability occur. God’s love is distinct and people respond to it. What a joy and an honour to walk with people for part of their journey.

Through my work, I simply model what Christians did for me in the depths of my brokenness. I readily tell those I reach out to, “I was where you are, around different issues, but I was there. And I am here now. People helped me. Now I’m helping you. There is hope!”

This is the best way I know to demonstrate my gratitude to God and the Christians that helped me.

I gained a passion for doing this work as my ‘life mission’ after going through a tumultuous time over a number of years. In one year, I lost things which I later came to discover had become defining, as to who I was – my job, my choice to live & work abroad with my family, my marriage. So, when I lost them, I felt like I was cast into the unknown with nothing secure to ground me. And God intervened. He gave me a promise and he put Christians in my life to support me.

In due course, I saw God demonstrate his authority over immigration officials, miraculously  granting us an unusual type of visa, keeping the promise he’d spoken to me months before.

And since this time, I have felt like Nathanael, who was known by Jesus in ways he didn’t understand (Jn 1:48) and the woman at the well who proclaimed, “Come see a man who told me all I ever did.” (Jn 4:29).

These two discovered that they were known and loved by Almighty God and this caused them to run to others, proclaiming and inviting people to come and meet this Almighty, yet deeply personal Saviour, Jesus. 

I do the same.