Street witnessing has developed a bad reputation. A preconceived notion of what street witnessing means can stop a true witness of Christ from sharing with a stranger, afraid to offend and wishing not to impose upon someone who is broken and in need of comfort.

Folks frown upon anyone who may have a forceful point of view. Public opinion sums up that approach as bullying or even prideful. “I’m better than you, so do yourself a favor and do what I do.” 

Witnessing God’s love is deeply personal. Having a desire to share the most intimate memories of how your life has been changed elevates compassion for another’s life over the possibility of your own rejection. It is one of the most unselfish acts of kindness, humility and love we experience in our walk with Christ. When the outcome is one that brings the new member into a deeper relationship with our Savior, being the catalyst for such a powerful life-altering result is deeply gratifying. So we must ask ourselves, what is my motivation?

Most people don’t want to come up against a stranger’s resistance. Believing we hold a truth for their lives has no bearing, it has to be God given, a genuinely inspired meeting of one led in the Spirit to another ready to hear and receive the Spirit. As abrupt as this statement is, one must have a calling to talk to others, a zeal encapsulated in moral and spiritual authority. It would be inaccurate to comment on this kind of outreach without suggesting to earnestly seek the answer in prayer. 

Wonderful heart-pumping revivals have always brought people to the Lord, while the gentle neighbor inviting others to the parish for want of their company has a heartwarming appeal also. Both have their merit and both work depending on God’s timing within an individual’s life. It is not ours to judge, only to be available. 

Winning souls to Christ begins with a mutual respect for each other, an earnest desire to lead a person into God’s grace and forgiveness. Seeing their need and wishing to share what He has done for us comes only from the Lord, our Father in Heaven that wants the best for His children.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. —Psalms 121:1-8, KJV

To know of God’s power ignites evangelists everywhere and motivates even the shiest of people to want to share with those whom they love, especially those who are hurting. With so much of what we see as broken in the world, don’t automatically assume we know all the answers. Ask Him!

Not all are called to be witnesses for Christ, for in one body are many parts:

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office. —Romans 12:4, KJV

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. —1 Corinthians 12:21