Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should  (Ephesians 6:20).

Well, that’s interesting.

Paul, Super Preacher Man, was sometimes afraid when it came to sharing the gospel. I mean, he must have been–otherwise, why would he specifically ask for prayer about it? This makes me feel a tad better about my own anxiety.

Still, I gotta wonder: why would anyone be nervous about sharing the good news of Christ? It’s far and away the most important news anyone anywhere will ever hear. It has the power to take someone from eternal death to eternal life. How could any of us possibly be nervous about sharing such amazing info?

You know the answer as well as I do.

Some people–most, actually–will reject the gospel.

And when they do, it’s like they’re rejecting us.

And we don’t want to be rejected.

Paul had reason to be afraid. He took a lot of physical abuse on behalf of Jesus, and any time he shared he was opening the door for more. You and I are a lot less likely to have to deal with that kind of attack. The worst we face is having someone laugh in our face, or behind our back. Or perhaps the dreaded awkwardness that proceeds, “Um, yeah…thanks” as someone squeezes past us and out the door.

Most of us would joyfully take a bullet or a blade for our Lord–at least, we hope we would.   But mocking is a lot more likely, and therefore, a lot more scary.

As you enter your Thursday, I pray that you would declare the gospel fearlessly, as you should.

Would you pray the same for me?

Thanks, Beloved.

Happy Thursday