In preparation for the mission trip to St. Vincent, a group of people met to pray specifically knowing that we serve a God who answers specifically- and He did! But halfway through the week I hadn’t seen one of my specific prayers yet answered. I had been praying that I would get to personally lead a soul to Christ. On Wednesday night, after the lesson took place and we had moved on to crafts I remember thinking, “God has answered so many prayers this week, but maybe that one isn’t one I will see answered on this trip in the way that I had hoped. There is only one more night of VBS, only one more night to council during invitation.” Thus far, I had been able to speak with a couple people regarding assurance (praise the Lord!), but I hadn’t yet led anyone to Christ personally. We had seen a great response in the schools and at the VBS. We had been canvassing and had revival each night. I remember thinking “Wow, the Lord has truly moved, and this experience has changed my life!” I was a little bummed that I hadn’t yet seen that prayer answered as I had asked, but I had almost become satisfied within myself that it could be God’s will. Well, it didn’t take very long for Him to start convicting me. I felt as if He was saying “Chassidy, you prayed that prayer, but have you done your part??” He began to really work in my heart. Sure, I had worked to build relationships with the kids. Sure, I had gone out inviting people in. Sure, I had been willing to speak with anyone that responded to the messages. Sure, I had even tried to spark conversations to lead into that direction. BUT had I truly set out with the goal of fighting for a soul??
The Bible says in Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” I think about the word winneth. It typically takes hard work and effort on our part to win anything in life. Why should we expect any difference in soul-winning? It was in that moment that the Lord began to show me the true battle ground that was before me. He began to put a burning desire in my heart for those present. I looked around at the kids and thought about all those who had willingly admitted that week that they were on the road to destruction. It was then that God gave me a great burden to see them saved. I realized that time was limited. I then began to stray from the small talk with the kids and get to what really mattered. I spoke with them about their salvation and what would happen if they were to die. I was saddened by those who seemed okay with where they were headed but I did my part and left the rest up to God. Before that thirty-minute block was over, the Lord gave me the opportunity to open my Bible and share the truth with an 11-year-old boy. He chose to accept the Lord as his Savior that night.
The next night he came in and said something along the lines of, “Miss! Miss! I told my friend about Heaven and Hell and Jesus, and he wants to be saved too! Can you show him how?” I was able to see the passion that this young boy had for the souls of his friends. He recognized that many of them were on the road to destruction as he had been, and he wanted to do all he could to see them saved. My heart was then further convicted. Did I have that same passion for those around me? I believe we often become hardened and numb toward the reality of eternity, and we lose our passion to win souls.
Mark 16:15 says, “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” God places a call on every Christian’s life to share the good news. Let us be more intentional in doing so. Let us be more aggressive in the war for souls. Pray and ask the Lord for a greater burden for the lost, for boldness to speak the truth, and for preparation of hearts. Ask a friend to be your accountability partner and encourage one another in this honored task. As time goes on, and our passion begins to die, allow the conviction of the call to urge you to continue. Ask the Lord for a lasting brokenness to see the doomed come to know Him.