DAY 8

I don't know about you but as a kid, I didn’t like to share my toys. When I knew my cousins were coming over, I would hide my most favorite toys but the truth was when I would finally bring out those toys, we ALL got to enjoy them and have fun playing with them together. Toys are fun in themselves but they are way better when you have someone else to play with.

Looking back, I see that this same principle applies with sharing our faith with others. The gospel wasn’t meant to be kept hidden or kept to ourselves but it is meant to be proclaimed and shared. This is what Jesus said: “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15)

God has called us to share the gospel with ALL people. The gospel is the good news of the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Why would we not share this with everyone else if it has the power to save people from their sins? The short answer is fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of what to say. Fear of what they will think of us. We see that fear led Peter to denying Jesus 3 times, yet it was courage and boldness that the Holy Spirit gave Peter to share the gospel with a crowd of people shortly after Jesus ascended back to heaven (Acts 2:14-47).

 God has given us a spirit of boldness (courage), not of fear. Having been in youth ministry for the last 4 years, I have experienced many moments of fear and intimidation; however, through just being available and open to the opportunities, I have seen how God has given me courage and boldness to share my faith not just with the teens but with their parents as well. The thing I realized about courage is that it isn’t something that comes naturally but it is something the Holy Spirit gives you in moments when you are open to Him using you to share the gospel with others. The question is… will you be open for the Holy Spirit to give you the courage to share your faith with others? I believe God wants to give ALL of us the courage and boldness so that we can share with those in our communities.