Evangelism - Heartbeats of Grace

 

Friends, have you ever shared something precious, not to convince someone, but just to let them know they’re seen? Yesterday at Park Central Square, I was sharing the gospel, not to win arguments, but to share God’s love. I met a man whose life had left him scarred—stories of losing his father, caring for his mother, and feeling weighed down by pain. When I told him I cared, he took my hand and said, “I believe you.” That moment felt like God’s love breaking through, even if just a little.

This reminded me of John 4:7–26, where Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. He doesn’t demand she change; He offers her living water, a gift of life given freely. My friend wasn’t ready to take a gospel tract, but for 25 minutes, he listened as I shared how God loves us and offers life, no strings attached.

Scripture: John 4:13–14 (NIV)
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”

This verse captures the free gift of God’s love—a rest that doesn’t require us to earn it. The Samaritan woman carried a heavy past, much like my friend, who spoke of his struggles with loss and feeling overwhelmed by evil, in the World, in himself.  Jesus didn’t push the woman to perform; He invited her to rest in His gift. I wanted my friend to know that God sees his pain and offers life, not because of what he does, but because of who God is.

This encounter also brought to mind Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1–10. A tax collector, despised and lost, Zacchaeus climbed a tree just to see Jesus. Jesus didn’t wait for him to clean up his life; He called him by name and dined with him, offering grace that transformed his heart. I didn’t expect my friend to change on the spot. I just wanted him to feel God’s love, like Zacchaeus did, through a moment of connection.

Practical Step: Pause for five minutes today and pray, “Lord, help me share Your love with someone, just as I am.” Maybe it’s a kind word or a listening ear—let God’s love flow through you.

Let’s keep sharing the gospel, not to prove something, but to show God’s heart. My friend may not have accepted the tract, but he heard about a God who loves him freely. That is priceless. Share your story of showing God’s love in the comments!

A Prayer for God’s Love
Father, thank You for loving us freely and offering the gift of life. Help us share Your love with others, not to perform, but to point them to Your salvation. Be with my friend from the square, showing him Your heart. Amen.

#LivingHopeInitiative, #SharingTheGospel