Not Perfect, Just Willing
Pastoral | April 3, 2025 | By: Michael Solano
You are waiting in line to place your order at a restaurant when you overhear the person in front of you talking about their difficult day. After a short wait, you place your order and have lunch with the people you had planned to meet. Later that day, you are in your car or at home and your mind drifts back to that moment in line—you remember the person in front of you who was having a difficult day. You think, “I should’ve done something… Maybe paid for their meal? Maybe asked if I could pray for them and explain how Christ could bring peace and hope to their life?” But as those thoughts arise, negative thoughts also arise: “I haven’t read the Bible in a few days.” “I’m not very good at praying or explaining the gospel.” “In today’s world, you never know how someone will respond.”
We've all been there at one time or another. There are moments when we should have shared the gospel and prayed for others, but we didn’t. The goal of this article is not to bring condemnation but to offer grace—grace that invites us to say “yes” the next time Jesus calls us to pray, share the gospel, and display His love to those around us. It is a reminder that Jesus does not expect us to be professional witnesses but faithful witnesses of His message.
There are moments when we should have shared the gospel and prayed for others, but we didn’t.
After His death and resurrection, Jesus spent time with His disciples and gave them instructions. One of those instructions was to stay in Jerusalem until the time of Pentecost, and the promise He gave them was this: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses.” (Acts 1:8).
The disciples needed to stay in Jerusalem because Jesus was going to send the Holy Spirit to renew their hearts and dwell among them (Acts 1:4). The glory and power of God’s presence was going to move from the temple into the hearts of those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. The power is an outcome of the dwelling of the Spirit and not because of the abilities of the disciples. The power did not depend upon human flesh but on the will of God.
It is the power that brings a dead soul to life for eternity and provides freedom from the slavery of sin. The power to have boldness to walk a life that now shines the light of Jesus Christ. Christ uses the words "my witnesses" to describe this outcome—the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the disciples.
Those who experience saving faith in Jesus now know what truth and eternal life are. The disciples knew the freedom found in the gospel, and they had a desire not only to live it out in their individual lives but also to share it. However, it is the power of the Spirit dwelling in the heart of the disciple that provides the ability to articulate the truth of the gospel and the message of Christ with boldness, love, and grace. The dwelling of the Spirit through faith in Christ provides the power to bring a dead soul to eternal life.
So, let’s think about the "average day" of a Christian in Scottsdale or Phoenix and consider how this truth plays out practically. Let’s start with those of us who might be thinking, "I never think or feel I should pray or talk to people around me." If that is you, this is not an invitation to feel judged but an invitation to be on the lookout. Many of the people around us—family, friends, coworkers, and other Christians—are hurting and in need of love. Just sit and ask God in prayer to show you someone you can take the first step in showing His love to.
Many of the people around us are hurting and in need of love.
Now, let’s move to those of us who have had someone in mind we wanted to pray for or share the gospel with, but did not because of fear. Whenever you hear in your mind, "I am not good enough" or "I do not know how to do it," now you know that Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit dwells in us with power, making us His witnesses. You can be at peace knowing that most likely the Spirit of God is going to work through you to shine the light of the gospel to others. Your call is to take the first step and rest in the power of the Spirit of God.
Let me finish with this: It is okay if the first, second, third, or even hundredth time, people say "no thank you" or things do not go as well as you’d hoped. Jesus wants His disciples to dwell in Him and simply be on mission with Him. You are not called to be a professional but to be faithful, to be a witness of Him who has called you into eternal life.
Michael Solano
Global Outreach Pastor
Do you wish you were more comfortable having faith conversations with others? This series of videos by our pastors offers some practical tips and inspiration.
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