There are signs plastered everywhere telling us to stay away from one another. One sign says I have to wear a mask at all times; another tells me to keep at least six feet away. Still, another tells me to do both. I don’t particularly appreciate wearing masks because people can’t see me smile at them. When I smile, people smile back. Sometimes they start conversations with me. That is part of what makes my day, and hopefully, there’s. I get the opportunity to share Jesus sometimes. But, with a piece of fabric slapped across my face, I find it hard to feel connected to the people around me. Having to keep your distance can make you feel more isolated than ever. Are you feeling that way too?
The Great Commission bids me go and share Jesus with the lost. Yet, part of me wonders if God forgot about COVID coming to a community near you. With nearly two years worth of panic over this virus, I’ve noticed that people have become more fearful of one another. This sad state has me longing for a pandemic of emotional and spiritual healing for us all. If God doesn’t want to purge COVID from our lives, could He at least heal our fear of getting too close?
How Do You Share The Gospel And Keep Your Distance
It should not surprise anyone to hear me say I love a good slogan on a shirt. I mean, I started this company because of that. Great graphics and slogans on shirts are instant conversation starters. I don’t just mean our t-shirts. I wear lots of great slogany shirts from other companies! My favorite is a bright pink satin jacket that says, God Is Within Her, She Cannot Fail in bold embroidered letters on the back. Even if no one asks me a thing, they can still read the jacket. It’s hard to miss.
The other thing is, even with a mask over my face, most can still hear the sound of my voice. So what the social distance, face-covering thing has done for me is get me to talk more. Where I might have done something to encourage people to speak to me before, I now have to assert myself to make the first verbal move. So ironically, the face mask has been a buffer that has made me feel better about initiating conversations with strangers. Have you noticed that for yourself?
I comment on their hair, nails, or whatever, anything to get them to feel good about themselves. What does it cost to brighten someone’s day? I can’t make anyone sick by saying things that make them smile wider. If I can, I say something that lets them know I am a person of faith. I never know what will happen next when I say that, but if someone needs someone of faith to encourage them, I don’t want to deny the Holy Spirit that opportunity.
I can’t hug people as I’d like, and I don’t shake hands right now, but I can still make a difference in this cold world, whether the virus wants me to or not. People need Jesus more than ever. The virus has stolen more than people’s loved ones. It has taken their livelihoods, security, peace, and for some, everything they had. It takes situations like this for people to know that God is the only thing they ever have. They need to hear God’s message of hope much more than pacifying speeches from government officials. Are you ready to share with them what they need to hear most?
You Can Keep Your Distance And Still Share Jesus With Us
What we love most about what we do here is how we do it. Our t-shirt designs and the Bible verse references on the back are invitations to learn more about the Bible without you even saying a word about it. What I notice a lot is that when I am wearing one of our t-shirts, people like to Google the back to see what the Bible verse reference says. I am pointing them to the Bible on their phone if nothing else, and I haven’t said a word.
If people never see the back, they usually have something to say about the front. That is my opportunity to share what is on the back with them. I can still talk to them and stay six feet away, no up close and personal need. If you have to keep your distance but still burn to share the gospel, this would be one great way to do it.
Would you like to learn more about how to evangelize during the pandemic? Check out our app. The evangelism project will guide you through sharing the gospel with strangers. Have any other questions? Please email us!