15. The Power of Patience in Evangelism

Patience is a virtue that many of us struggle with, especially in our fast paced and results driven society. When it comes to sharing our faith, impatience can be particularly challenging. In this blog post, I want to reflect on the importance of patience in evangelism through a personal experience with a woman, named Mary. Despite her tough exterior and apparent lack of response, I continue to sow seeds of faith, recognizing that God's timing and work in her life may be different than my own expectations.

The Struggle with Patience

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit that requires cultivation and practice. As someone who likes to make things happen quickly, I often find patience to be a personal challenge. However, God is working on me in this area, especially in the context of evangelism. Impatience can hinder our ability to discern the depth of someone's response and blind us to the reality of what is truly happening.

Meeting Mary

In a store I frequently visit, there is an older lady named Mary. Her demeanor reflects unhappiness, and she often complains about the incompetence of others. Mary is a rough individual, but her unfiltered honesty is strangely compelling. She has expressed to me that her family hates her, and although she is in a long-term marriage, there are obvious challenges.

Opportunities for Sharing

Over time, I have had multiple conversations with Mary about Christ. I have even had the privilege of praying with her. However, her chain-smoking habit makes it difficult to find moments to connect deeply. There have been periods when I did not see Mary, but eventually, she reappeared, informing me that she had fallen and injured her leg and back.

The Waiting Game

Mary is facing significant health issues, many of which are related to her smoking habit. Despite my overt and consistent sharing of the gospel, it seems that Mary has not yet experienced a spiritual awakening. When I see her during busy moments at work, I still make it a point to acknowledge her and remind her that I am praying for her. Her response is a smile and a wave, which may leave room for various interpretations.

The Role of Patience and Persistence

One may be tempted to draw several conclusions: that Mary will never change, that she views me as an eccentric, that it is too late for God to intervene, or that I am incapable of helping her. However, when I feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I am reminded that "It's not over until it is over." In those moments, I understand that God is calling me to continue sowing seeds of faith and loving on Mary, regardless of the visible outcomes.

The Power of Prayer

In this journey with Mary, consistent prayer is essential. I continue to lift her up to God, knowing that He is capable of working in her life in ways I may not fully understand. And I invite you, the reader, to join me in praying for Mary, that God's grace and transforming power may touch her heart.

Conclusion

Patience is an invaluable quality in evangelism, allowing us to trust in God's timing and recognize that He is always at work, even in the most challenging circumstances. The story of Mary reminds us that outward appearances and initial responses may not reveal the full picture. We must remain patient, persistent, and faithful in sharing the love of Christ. Through prayer and unwavering commitment, we can continue to sow seeds of faith, trusting that God's grace will ultimately lead to transformation. Let us cultivate patience and entrust Mary, and others like her, into God's loving hands.

Genesis 18:14a “Is anything too hard for the LORD?”