Often when I think about wanting to share my faith with unbelievers, I wallow in doubt and questioning about what I should or shouldn’t say. My fear of how this person will respond often paralyzes my mission.
This creates a problem when I think about my call to live as a missionary in my neighborhood and family. I often end up convicted that I am called to make disciples, but then find myself frozen not knowing what to say or what steps to take.
When Jesus sends the disciples to proclaim the message of the Kingdom to lost people, Jesus gives some instructions:
"These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’.” - Matthew 10:5-7
And he ends by making a fascinating, and freeing statement:
“And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you lave that house or town.” - Matthew 10:14
A friend of mine paraphrased this when he said, “It’s okay to shake dust.”
When I think about the unbelievers I know, I rarely think “it’s okay to shake dust.” I tend to think about the questions they might have, the doubts, and the arguments. And those questions usually lead to a responsibility that I begin to feel as though their faith depends on my ability to argue them into the faith.
Sharing the Gospel is less about arguing and more about speaking up and letting God do his work. We share what we have seen and heard; God does the changing of hearts.
Don’t worry about if people won’t receive it. If they won’t, take the words of Jay-Z to heart and “Get that dirt off your shoulder.” Is your neighbor uninterested right now? Get that dirt off your shoulder. Does your cousin have too many questions to take Jesus seriously? Get that dirt off your shoulder. Has your coworker shut you down because of the other Christians they’ve encountered? Get that dirt off your shoulder.
Share the message and if they don’t want to receive, shake the dust off and move on.