Again, if you would like to know what this is about, reference this original post, and then obviously there are previous weeks you can view.
I bet you're thinking that this week will be the triumphant report - that I had a bunch of awesome conversations about the gospel and it was very successful.
Not so. I think that part of this journey is learning how to fail, if that makes sense. Which I have definitely been doing. I thought that being at different airports and sitting on a few planes would give me ample opportunities to talk about the gospel. That didn't happen. All but one time I was sitting beside my brother Blake on the planes, and that one time I wasn't beside him didn't go so well.
I tried to start a conversation with the woman on my left, but she just nodded at me without speaking and then put her chair back and went into sleeping position. I then turned my attention to the teenage boy on my right, but after I started talking he promptly put his earbuds in. Ugh. I wanted to yank it out and be like Excuse me may I just share the gospel with you first and then you can listen to your little music and play your little iPod games? But, I refrained, and kept to myself.
I think my approach isn't so great. For one thing, I wait 'til I'm by myself. Why? So I don't have to witness in front of my friends and family? I don't know why. I guess because I'm already uncomfortable and when people are watching me I get even more nervous. But I need to kick that fear in the tail. It is rare that I'm just out and about and not with people. So that has been limiting my conversation opportunities. Also, everyone just walks around in their own little bubbles. People don't want to talk. Even when you're beside them on a plane for over an hour they don't want to talk. So I really need to take the initiative more often, I can't just wait for small chances.
On the plus side, I did have some great conversations with people I DO know. :) And God gave me a great Bible study turn out last night which was awesome. So I don't consider the week a total failure, just another learning experience. Which I thank the Lord for! I'm so grateful that He draws me closer and closer to Him.
I bet you're thinking that this week will be the triumphant report - that I had a bunch of awesome conversations about the gospel and it was very successful.
Not so. I think that part of this journey is learning how to fail, if that makes sense. Which I have definitely been doing. I thought that being at different airports and sitting on a few planes would give me ample opportunities to talk about the gospel. That didn't happen. All but one time I was sitting beside my brother Blake on the planes, and that one time I wasn't beside him didn't go so well.
I tried to start a conversation with the woman on my left, but she just nodded at me without speaking and then put her chair back and went into sleeping position. I then turned my attention to the teenage boy on my right, but after I started talking he promptly put his earbuds in. Ugh. I wanted to yank it out and be like Excuse me may I just share the gospel with you first and then you can listen to your little music and play your little iPod games? But, I refrained, and kept to myself.
I think my approach isn't so great. For one thing, I wait 'til I'm by myself. Why? So I don't have to witness in front of my friends and family? I don't know why. I guess because I'm already uncomfortable and when people are watching me I get even more nervous. But I need to kick that fear in the tail. It is rare that I'm just out and about and not with people. So that has been limiting my conversation opportunities. Also, everyone just walks around in their own little bubbles. People don't want to talk. Even when you're beside them on a plane for over an hour they don't want to talk. So I really need to take the initiative more often, I can't just wait for small chances.
On the plus side, I did have some great conversations with people I DO know. :) And God gave me a great Bible study turn out last night which was awesome. So I don't consider the week a total failure, just another learning experience. Which I thank the Lord for! I'm so grateful that He draws me closer and closer to Him.
Ashley, I'm inspired by your witness. Yesterday when I was in Wilmington, I thought of you as I talked to a few people I met there. I didn't witness to any of them specifically, but I was encouraged by you. So be encouraged--God is working!
ReplyDeletePlanting seeds is trial and error. God knows your heart and He will continue to give you what you need to do His work. When people see Christ in you they will be able to see a glimpse of His glory. He is using you in Bible study to help others grow, as well as yourself, so keep on keeping on!
ReplyDelete