I Proselytized To A Native American, Here's How It Went.

Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 

In my last post, I talked about how I felt the pull of proselytizing to people.  Today, I actually did it.  Let me give you the background in what led to me doing it, and how it turned out.

Last night, as our family was watching Star Trek: Discovery, I pondered on the idea of talking to people.  Weeks ago, I went to a certain gas station early in the morning to get some gas, where the manager (whom I am technically extended family with) carried on a conversation with me.  She asked me about my job, and how long I've worked there, etc.  I asked her something like, "Are you curious about working for the school district?"  She replied, "No, just making conversation." 

It hit me:  I'm terrible at making conversation.  I haven't tried to "get to know" people since I stopped trying to find a wife (I'm a pretty biased person).  The last time I recall having a genuine conversation with someone outside family (initiated by the other person, that is), was with Gates McFadden at Planet Comicon in 2022.  In retrospect, Dr. Crusher was more of an evangelist than I was.  

Anyway, that was the thought.  As I'm writing this, I'm thinking that Mary Wiseman, who played Tilly, would offer a great "masterclass" in conversation.

Anyway, as I was thinking about conversing with people, I thought, "What do I talk about?"  Oh yeah!  Maybe I should talk about Jesus to them!  Isn't that what Christians are supposed to do?  Thus, the previous post about my hesitations to give cold pitches about Jesus to strangers.  Is it a lost art?  Perhaps.

Yet, I resolved to actually do it, to preach the Gospel to at least ONE person today.  I still remember the words of the atheist Penn Jilette, who hates those who don't proselytize, because if Christians truly believe in the eternal torture of Hell, why wouldn't you broadcast it fully to the world?

So, after my building check, I headed to Walmart to get some groceries.  I then had a thought pop in my head, suggesting I go to the same gas station to proselytize.  I ignored the thought, thinking that it's just my own imagination (Proverbs 3:5).  As I was approaching Walmart, I thought to myself, "Why not?  Let's do it just in case it is God telling me to do it."  If this is the wrong approach, please correct me on this. (Proverbs 6:23)

So I went to the gas station, and filled a Styrofoam cup of Diet Coke to purchase.  There was one gentleman who was there, and I carried on a conversation with him.  I thank God that he carried more of the weight of the conversation, so it was no issue for me to ask if he was a Christian.  He said he was.  We then parted ways.

I then went to the counter after the first gentleman paid for his drink.  The clerk rung me up, commenting that I could have had it cheaper had I bought a reusable cup like the first gentleman.  I paid for the drink, he gave me the change, and then I asked him a line that I previously thought of, which was, "Have you ever thought of what happens to you when you die?" (Was it the Holy Spirit giving me this idea, per Luke 12:12 and the like?)  

After being taken aback a little, the clerk told me how he hopes not to burden his children with his debts.

I then clarified, "What about your soul?"

He replied, "I'm Native American, so I believe that we come from the earth, and when we die, we return to the earth.  I don't believe in Heaven or Hell, and I don't believe a religion should be pushed on someone."

I then thanked him for his honesty, and he returned the same sentiment in kind towards me.  I left, going back to Walmart to get the groceries.

So what did I learn from all of this?  I thought to myself, "OK, people don't like being proselytized."  I then remember Paul's words:

And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

(1Co 9:20-23)

There is indeed strategy to be considered when trying to win souls.  I certainly didn't want to spout platitudes like, "Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?", but perhaps the line, "Have you ever thought of what happens to you when you die?" is also a platitude, I hope that's not the case, I hope I didn't deliver that line as a platitude.  As a whole, humans aren't stupid.  They can smell a platitude miles away, and can tell whether or not someone is genuine.  There is an common expression: "Read the room."  This expression is biblical:

Rom_12:17  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

So how do I get the Gospel out, verbally?  I seem to have no problem doing it in writing, as this blog is certainly being read, for that I thank you, audience.  But how do I do it with my own tongue?  Perhaps these pieces of Scripture will help:

Mat 10:16  Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. 

1Co 14:20  Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. 

2Ti 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 

I have always believed that any evangelism is to be natural and effortless, because, as I've said, the world can spot a fake.  May God help me to broadcast the Gospel, in any and every way.  May I not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1:16).