It’s not uncommon for Christian believers to be timid about sharing the faith. After all, people respond in different ways when we talk about Jesus Christ and what He means to us.

My advice: Go ahead and share with others the things that mean something special to you — including your walk with the Lord Jesus. And be ready for some folks to go a little nuts (especially if they’re already a little crazy anyway).

Please do not begin to think of people as “the enemy” just because they get angry or because they oppose what you believe in. Lots of Christians began the same way.

When people act strange and overreact to the things you say, it’s ok to see the humor in their response, and even to smile or laugh. Remember that initial reactions do not mean as much as we may think. People often react negatively to all kinds of things that they soon come around to appreciate and even embrace.

Sowing good seed is not about making everyone happy. It’s about placing the seeds of valuable (even life-giving) information into the hearts and minds of others. Be patient. No farmer expects to see results while he is sowing. Give people a chance to think about what you are saying. In a few days or weeks, you may be shocked to see them come around for more information. And some will come to accept and act in faith.

Here’s a quick free-verse poem I wrote after an interesting response I got one day. I’ve seen and heard so many reactions to biblical truth that I often laugh out loud at the things people do and say. And you know what? Many times they will start laughing with me when I point out their funny behavior. People are just people, after all.

the two ants

two ants stood on the side of a great hill
(at least it was a very great hill in their eyes)
and watched as the distant sun
slid slowly down
behind the trees on the horizon

today was a good day
said the ant on the right

to which the other replied
shouting with rage
always you try to stuff
your sick and demented ideas
down everyone’s throat
when will you learn
to keep your empty-headed thoughts
to yourself
i’ve told you
and everyone else has told you
we don’t want to hear
what you have to say

the ant on the right smiled
humming quietly to himself

as the sun sank lower in the sky
soon a star appeared
and then another
before the sun had even disappeared

oh look there
he said
i think tonight
is going to be another lovely night

to which the other replied
didn’t i just tell you to shut up
didn’t i explain
in the clearest possible terms
why you should keep
that big ugly mouth shut
ooh
ooh
don’t get me started

©2005 Jim Sutton
all rights reserved