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By: J.N.
January 23, 2023
“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
We had only been in China a few months and weren’t yet sure of the extent of caution we should take while sharing Christ. But in this exceedingly relational culture, we knew exactly what we needed to do – build redemptive relationships! Hospitality in our home afforded us wonderful opportunities for this. We learned much about these friends during this time, and they about us, as we shared about our families, careers, and future plans.
Every obedient and overflowing Christian knows what must happen next. It’s the moment when the nature of our relationship turns from natural to supernatural when we attempt to bridge the conversation from earthly things to spiritual ones. And this is most often where fear sets in.
While I’ve learned, by God’s grace, to manage the anxieties that come from evangelism, this season was different. It was as if it was my first time, filled with a great burden to share the hope of my Savior but nearly shaking with all the "what-ifs." What if I offend them? What if I say something wrong? And then the big one… what if they turn us in to the police?
One of our guests was related to a believer in our home Bible study group. I decided to take the first step by asking her, “Are you a Christian?” This young lady’s reply was new to me as she said, “Not yet.” It wasn’t rejection. Rather, she was curious but unsettled. And as I heard that reply over and over again from the Chinese, it became a resounding reassurance to plant and water seeds with patient persistence, waiting on the Lord to do His perfect work. Let’s not be content to say the people around us aren’t Christians. Instead, let’s be reminded. They’re not Christians… yet!
