So I’d encourage you: take the pressure off yourself to achieve a certain ‘outcome’ and instead focus on being obedient to God. When he nudges you, be ready and willing to share the goodness of God.

I’ve found that once we decide to let go of the fear (or to push through it), and just go and respond to God’s promptings, we become so encouraged: something shifts, and we see God at work.

Spirit-led encounters

I believe that there are ‘encounter moments’ that God’s created especially for you to step into and share Jesus with somebody.

'For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.' (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

If we keep our eyes open and ask the Lord to grant us opportunities, he will bring people across our path.

One time I was in the Tui holiday shop with my sister, getting her money exchanged. There was a woman working behind the counter.

As I stood there, I asked God, “Do you want me to say anything to this woman?”

He said, “Yes – tell her I love her.”

So, I asked her for a piece of paper and a pen, and wrote down, “Jesus loves you and he just wants you to know that.”

I waited until my sister got her money and then slipped the note underneath. She probably thought I was passing my number to her! We left immediately afterwards, and I don’t know what happened for her in that moment. But I know that I was obedient to the Spirit and planted a seed.

There are moments when I leave and think, “oh I wish I was a bit braver”. But I know that those little notes, or a few words of encouragement, can potentially change someone’s moment, their day or even their life journey. Just knowing there’s a God who thinks about them.

So whether you’re at the shops, on the train, or having a chat with family, you can simply ask the Spirit for an opportunity and be faithful to his nudging one moment at a time.

Remember the power you carry

We have to hold onto the power of the gospel.

We’re told that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. And we often forget that. To raise someone from the dead is not a small power — and we carry it.

Know that you’re not doing this in your own strength. You’re doing it with God.

The gospel message is powerful in itself. Even the Apostle Paul himself shared his weakness:

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. (1 Corinthians 2:2-5, NIV)

People come to faith by the hearing of the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit. That should encourage us to keep sharing, being confident that it is God who changes hearts. In our weakness, He remains strong.

Intimacy and invitation

When it comes to evangelism, our personal intimacy with Jesus is the key. Once you’re intimate with him, you’ll hear his voice. That’s what leads us into those everyday moments. Let’s remember, actually this isn’t about me, but about what is God doing in this moment, and how can I step into it.

Finally, believe in the power of Christ. Even if you feel ill-equipped, even if you feel like “I haven’t got this”, take heart that God is with you always.

Hear more from Rani and how to overcome discouragement when sharing Jesus. Click here, or scroll below to watch Episode 6 of our Everyday Evangelism podcast, “How do I keep sharing Jesus when I feel discouraged?”