A favorite Scripture comes to mind when I think of evangelism and witnessing. It is found in Colossians 4:5, where the Apostle Paul writes, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” (NIV)

My husband is such a good example when it comes to being a strong witness for Jesus Christ. One simple way that he “makes the most of every opportunity” is to purpose to place a few gospel tracts in his pocket before he heads out the door, ready to share God’s plan of salvation with a waitress, a carwash attendant, or anyone else whom the Lord might send his way. He has learned that there is no shame in sharing the gospel. Sometimes he simply hands the tract to someone and encourages him or her to read it, and other times he has the opportunity to turn the pages and communicate the hope that is found in Christ.

I have not proven to be so faithful. My desire is sometimes overpowered by a moment’s hesitation, being fearful or uncertain of what I might say, or how well my words might be received. Isn’t it ironic that God used a faithful witness in my life, over 30 years ago, to put a gospel tract in my hands?

One of my grandmother’s neighbors gave her a tract one day. I don’t know if she ever opened it up to see what was inside, for we never had a conversation about its contents. But she kept the gospel tract in a drawer, and one day while she was cleaning that drawer out, she offered the tract to me. It seemed like a silly little comic book at the time, but I took it just the same. My grandmother had no way of knowing that a few years later, God would use that tract to help me become a Christian. I said the “Sinner’s Prayer,” found on the back cover of the tract, when I prayed to receive Christ. My heart had been drawn to the Savior, and the tract was a bridge to help me cross to His side.

When I hesitate to share my faith with a stranger, I need to remember my husband’s example and my grandmother’s faithful neighbor, and the scores of other Christians who boldly share the message of hope. How difficult is it to leave a tract on a table when I go out to eat, or to offer one to someone standing behind me in the grocery store line? Perhaps God has placed someone in my life, at a precise moment in time, because he or she is ready to hear or read a gospel presentation. Who am I to say? I need to “be wise” in the way I act toward outsiders, not fearful or uninterested.

May God continue to transform my heart so that I am more concerned about a stranger’s eternal destiny than I am about my own selfish agenda. And may God grant me the honor of thanking the young man who lived next door to my grandmother, who had the courage to reach out to her with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He needs to know that his courage has helped me to be a more faithful witness.