“I don’t really believe in God,” my friend explained, “I believe in a higher power who is watching over us.”
We continued to walk down the main street of our college town as she carried on, describing some of the attributes I knew to be true of the Father. In a moment which only could have been prompted by the Holy Spirit, I said to her in reply, “I hear what you are saying, but it sure sounds like you are talking about God to me.”
"For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7).
Honestly, I was surprised I had been so straightforward as to say that; I was not the most outspoken person about my faith at the time. My friend didn’t appear to react much to what I had said. We changed the topic of conversation.
You can imagine my surprise a few months later when we returned from summer vacation to share an apartment only to find her walking around blessing each room! She had experienced a wild conversion of heart for Jesus. In the weeks and months to come we shared many intense conversations about faith and Scripture as we grew alongside one another in our individual relationships with the Lord.
One thing was for certain: she was on fire for God and bold about sharing all she was learning in her study of the Bible.
"So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord" (2 Timothy 1:8).
Her witness challenged me to become more confident in proclaiming my own.
It is easy to forget that evangelization is more than spreading the Gospel to strangers (though that’s good, too!). More often, and sometimes a more intimidating prospect, is sharing our faith witness with our friends, our colleagues, or our family. Let’s ask the Lord for greater confidence in sharing our story, sister.
Her witness challenged me. // @inendlesssongClick to tweet
Did you see our "Tell Your Story" videos where our team members shared about their encounters with the Lord?
Elise Howe is a wife, mother, vocal artist, and teacher. She is most joyful when creating with the inspiration of the Divine Artist. Elise hopes to live a life full of authentic beauty—especially through her song, her cut-flower garden, great books, delicious ice cream, and her yes to the Father. A born-and-raised Midwestern gal, she happily resides in Michigan with her husband, son, and two daughters. She was a contributing author to Set a Fire and Blessed Conversations: Misericordia.
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