"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."
-- Romans 1:16, 17

What comes to your mind when you think of the power of God? Is it the creation of the universe? The parting of the Red Sea? Or possibly the Holy Spirit descending at Pentecost like tongues of fire? When we think of the power of God, are we filled with awe?

Now, what do you think of when you hear the word evangelism? For many years this word would bring to my mind church seminars or countless how-to books; maybe even a tract I was encouraged to share with a cashier at the grocery store. Though each of these can be part of evangelism, they all miss the very heart of it. Evangelism is God saving humanity through the person of Christ. And the strangest part is that He chooses to do it through you and me!

Though some people are energized by the topic of evangelism, many others dodge it like the plague. I've definitely heard the murmurs at a Sunday morning service: "Oh no, another message on evangelism. Here comes the part when the preacher makes us all feel guilty for not witnessing more."

I think one of the reasons we shrink away from the subject is that we assume that the burden lies on us. Ultimately, we feel responsible for making a great gospel sales pitch, almost twisting someone's arm into becoming a Christian.

But this is so contrary to what scripture says. Do we really think that we care more about saving souls than God does? He truly longs for the nations to know Him. It is not our own initiative or strength but the power of God that works toward salvation. In evangelism, God's power is harnessed in this story we call the gospel, not only giving life with its very words but propelling them forward as light into darkness. We are simply called to testify to what we know to be true and God does the rest. Like the blind man in John 9, we must tell those around us about our own encounter with Jesus and how He has radically changed our lives. It's wild to think about a God powerful enough to move mountains, but do you know what is even crazier? That His greatest passion is the salvation of souls.

God, open my eyes to opportunities to tell the story of my redemption. Remind me that it is You, not I, who is powerful to perform a saving work in someone's heart.