I was at the gym and was faced with two choices: I could be a normal person who just minds their own business and leaves the gym like any other day, or tell a complete stranger what God put in my heart to tell them with the possibility of changing their life and witnessing a miracle.

What did I choose to do?

The second choice – I embraced awkwardness.

I was running on the elliptical and a girl came up to the elliptical right next to me. The moment I saw her I felt the Holy Spirit tell me to pray for her because He has a word for her.

So I started to pray for her and asked God to reveal to me the girl’s name. I got the impression her name was Marilyn (although I had doubts because I had just finished listening to a podcast with a guest speaker named Marilyn). I then began praying for her more. I asked God to reveal to me what to say to her that would encourage her.

He told me she’s currently in a situation where she’s doubting him. Her life has been unstable like a rocking ship, but God wants her to know that only He can make her life still. He wants her to know that He is the Great I am.

I wrote all of this down so that I wouldn’t forget. Now was the time for me to step out of my comfort zone and tell this complete stranger what I believed God spoke to me about her.

Luckily she wasn’t using headphones so it wasn’t too hard to get her attention. I said to her, “Hi, I wanted to ask is your name Marilyn?” She said, “No, but why?”

At that moment I freaked out because I was wrong about her name. I said, “oh sorry nevermind.” I awkwardly went back running and she had left the elliptical to do a different workout.

In that moment God said to me, “Why didn’t you tell her the rest of what I told you to tell her? Go find her and tell her the rest of what I told you.”

I told God, “Are you crazy, you want me to look like a fool and chase this girl down?” I had already gotten her name wrong and didn’t want to take the risk of looking more like a fool if the prophetic word I received was wrong.

I debated with God for 15 minutes then decided I was going to head home. But as I was walking out God said something that made me turn back. He said, “If you had sought for a word of knowledge and a prophetic word for this girl out of love and not performance, you wouldn’t care if you were wrong.”

It was in that moment when I realized that this whole time I was caring more about my performance than loving this girl. My fear of being wrong blinded me from seeing the opportunity to show God’s love to her.

I didn’t care at this point if I was wrong. The chances of me being wrong were worth the chance of me being right and seeing this girl touched by God. I wanted this girl to experience God’s love and know that He is real.

I decided it was worth taking the chance of being wrong and awkward.

I turned back to find the girl but thankfully she happened to be walking back my direction. I told her, “Hey, sorry about earlier. Because I got your name wrong, I was hesitant to share with you what God had spoken to me about you. The moment I saw you I felt God tell me to pray for you because he had a word for you.”

The girl looked intrigued, so I went on. I told her how God told me she’s currently in a position of doubting God. The moment I said that she had the most shock look on her face. I asked, “Is this true?” She said, “Yes!”

I kept going and told her the rest of what God had told me. She told me how she was amazed because she’s never experienced this before – how God can tell a complete stranger what was going on in her life and have them say the exact words she needed to hear.

She ended up sharing how she’s actually a Christian but has been doubting God. She thanked me for sharing because it definitely encouraged her.

That night I learned one thing: It’s worth embracing awkwardness for the sake of the gospel.

If I had decided to follow my fears of being wrong or awkward, I would never have been able to witness a miracle of God. And most importantly, that girl would have missed an opportunity to encounter the love of our living God.

I didn’t know what was going on in that girl’s life, but God knew. God loves using us to reveal himself to others.

Don’t let awkwardness stop you from being used by God. 

Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes..”

I wonder how many opportunities we have missed out on being used by God because of fear of awkwardness?

There should be no reason not to step out in faith when God prompts us to do so. Even if we are wrong, it’s worth the chance of being right and seeing someone come to Christ.

God has given all of us all the ability to speak a prophetic word to others. 1 Corinthians 14:31 says, “For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.”

This prophetic gift was not only made for certain people, but for all who are in Christ. You are no exception.

The point of the prophetic gift is to draw others closer to Christ. The prophetic is a beautiful gift that allows others to feel known and loved by God.

You are called to do more than preach the gospel, but to also live it in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 says, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” God has equipped us with the Holy Spirit to do miracles that would only prove to others of God’s realness.

Will you step out in faith and pursue the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Do you believe that God can do anything through you? Will you take risks for the sake of the gospel?

We see the disciples in Acts not only preach the gospel, but also display it through signs and wonders. The disciples went around healing, prophesying, casting out demons, and many other miracles. Mark 16:20 says, “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

We read about the disciples to not only be in awe at their works but to be encouraged to live like them. We are called to share the gospel through His word and live it in power through the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)

God’s plan for you is greater than you know. He wants to use you in ways you cannot imagine. Don’t let awkwardness stop God’s plans to use you mightily. Allow God to use you wherever you may be. He will reveal to you the perfect words to say that will draw others to Christ. The key is love. So remember, embrace awkwardness for the gospel.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you that you love using me to reveal yourself to others.

Back in High School, you would rarely see me raise my hand for discussions. I was known as the quiet girl, the one who had least to say.

When life gets busy, it can become very easy to be preoccupied with your own needs and live in your own bubble. That’s where I found myself at.

With a busy work schedule, bible classes, and my own personal projects going on, my mind was preoccupied with my own life and the things I needed to do. Finally, the weekend had come and I was able to attend the Propel Women’s conference.

One of the speakers there said something that touched me, and it was at that moment when God reminded me of a person who I had been praying for, but recently stopped because I was too busy with my own life. God poured a heavy burden on my heart for that person and I wished I had invited that person to the conference with me because I knew she would really need it.

If only I had opened my heart and mind outside of my own world would I have remembered to pray for her and invite her to a conference that could have possibly impacted her life.

Without me realizing, I had an all about me mindset and attitude.

When our lives are focused only on ourselves, we blind ourselves from seeing the opportunities that God has to use us in this world.

Living an all about you life stops you from living up to your full potential and purpose from God. Matthew 5:14 says, “You are the light of the world..“The verse doesn’t say you are the light of your life, but the light of the world. We were created to shine in this dark world; to touch lives and point others to the hope of Jesus.

Our purpose in life goes far beyond ourselves – our purpose is to be the light of the world. This world teaches us that we will have the best of life when we go after selfish ambition, but selfish ambition will only leave us empty and wanting more. Why do selfish desires leave us empty? Because God created us to be givers. True joy and fulfillment happen through serving others with the gifts God has given us.

Our purpose in life is found in what we can give to others. 

Jesus said it himself that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). God is not working towards making us perfect trophies for our own glory, but for his glory alone. When life becomes all about you, it draws you away from your true purpose and potential in life. Satan wants to keep your eyes on your own life so that you miss the potential and purpose you have in others’ lives.

Your calling will always revolve around others and not yourself. God is preparing you to be used to touch lives that only you were created to touch. He commissions each of us to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). We are all called to share the good news of Jesus to wherever God calls us to.

Have you made life all about you? Will you open your heart and ask God where he wants you to go and to whom he wants you to share the gospel to? Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you into God’s bigger plan for your life because it is only then that you can experience life to the fullest. True fulfillment lies in the investment of others, rather than ourselves. So remember, it’s not all about you.

I’ve seen some people do extraordinary things such as prophesying, healing the blind and disabled, and even casting out demons. I have always thought that those gifts were given only to certain people, and I automatically assumed that I wasn’t one of them.

I even admired the disciples of Jesus from the New Testament. Disciples such as Paul, who was used greatly by God has a legacy that still goes on until today. He healed the sick, grew the church by thousands, and casted out demons wherever he went. It was in this moment of admiration when God spoke a truth into my life:

“You, are also called to do the impossible.”

God didn’t write the bible with the miraculous stories of the disciples to leave us in amazement, but to inspire us that we too by the Holy Spirit can do the impossible. The Holy Spirit who helped Paul is still the same Holy Spirit that lives with us today.

We are living in the New Testament days, the same days that Paul was living in. Jesus had already risen and left Paul with the Holy Sprit. We too are living in the days where the Holy Spirit now reigns on this Earth. If the bible was still being written today, your life would be a part of the New Testament, just before the book of Revelations.

The same Holy Spirit that was in Paul, desires to use you in unbelievable ways. Mark 16:17-18 says, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues..they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.“

You are called to do the impossible.

No matter who you are or what you did, God desires to use you greatly to show off his glory to this world. The Holy Spirit was given for you to do the impossible. You too can heal the sick, cast out demons, and change this world. Through doing the impossible, you will uncover the power and realness of God to this world. Now is the time to show the world who God is.

Evil is only growing, and it can only be stopped by the glory and truth of God. Be that disciple of God who shows the world that our Lord is alive. If you want to change the world, the best way to do it is through the Holy Spirit. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to use you to your greatest potential?

Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” God has so much in store for you that you can’t even imagine. He has a greater purpose for you in this world, and it is your job to let him use you for his glory.

In the beginning stages of my Christian journey with Christ, I just wanted to know what I needed to do to be right with God. Now, I want to know how far I can be used by God. I want to know him deeper and to see his amazing works upon my life for his glory. Whether it be healing the sick, prophesying, or even saving a single soul to Christ, I want to do it all.

Do you want to see how far God can use you? You are not excluded to do the impossible, and God plans to use you to advance his kingdom on Earth. You are called to something greater than yourself! So remember, do the impossible.

For almost my whole life, I thought ministry belonged to the church. I grew up going to church since a young child, and eventually grew up serving at my church. While this all was a good thing, what I failed to realize was how closed minded I became in regards to serving Christ.

I limited my abilities to serve Christ only at the church. Now, what did I do outside of church?

Nothing–besides living my ordinary work and school life.

Now looking back, I regret not taking those opportunities to share Christ to my classmates and to those around me, especially when I had the chances to do so.

My eyes have been opened to see that ministry isn’t a church thing, it’s a lifestyle.

We are all called to be followers of Jesus, whom never limited himself to serve God at the temple. He never set certain times or days to share the gospel or serve others, he did it anytime the opportunity came.

He would heal the sick and share the gospel to those he passed by. Whether at the temple or on the way to a new city, he never rejected anyone who was in need. It says in John 21:25, “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.” That is how much Christ did for the kingdom of God. One Sunday and one place wouldn’t give enough time and room for Christ to do what he did.

He used every opportunity he had to heal the sick, perform miracles, and share the gospel to others. Are you using every opportunity God has given you to share the love of Christ? Are you limiting yourself in serving Christ?

Ministry is not for a certain time, place, or people. It is to be lived out in our daily lives.

We tend to choose who we want to serve, when we want to serve, and where we want to serve. We set certain times and days of the week for when we want to serve. However, we are called to serve Christ whenever we see the opportunity to do so.

We are called to go into the dark and be the light, to save the lost and set the oppressed free. This all will require us to get out of the Church and go into the lost world we live in.

Jesus knew his purpose on this earth, for he says in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, ..to set the oppressed free.” This is our greater calling on earth – to bring the freedom of Christ to those who do not yet know him.

Jesus knew he was needed more by those who were lost than found, which is why he said in Luke 4:24, “..No prophet is accepted in his hometown.” He didn’t belong in his hometown where everyone already knew who he was, he knew his greater calling was to go out and into dark to reach the lost.

Just as Jesus was called to reach the lost, so are we.

The Church is a great place to serve Christ, but there are many other people outside the church that God has placed in your life for you to share Christ. Don’t stay in your comfort zone, but get out and go to the dark places where you will find many who are lost. It’s in the dark where Christ will shine the brightest.

Let ministry be your lifestyle. When you show patience to your family, love to your spouse, or kindness to a stranger, that is ministry. Even spending time with non-believers and sharing God’s love to them is counted as ministry. Open your hearts to see that God has called you to be his witnesses to all over the world (Acts 1:8). So remember, get out of the church and share his light to the world.

I grew up as a Christian and was exposed to the concept of sharing the gospel. In fact, I would hear many stories of missionaries traveling all over the world to reach the lost. My church would invite missionaries to come and share their testimonies of how others’ lives have been saved through their work and support of the church.

But never once did I ever consider myself evangelizing.

Why? Because I didn’t see it as my responsibility to do so. The only responsibility I knew I had was to study the gospel and to obey God.

Plus, it seemed like there were already enough people out there reaching out to the lost and spreading the gospel.

To say it simply, I didn’t feel the call to evangelize.

However, after spending a lot of time studying the word and having friends speak truth into my life, I realized that I have lived more than half of my life with a lie that it wasn’t my job to evangelize. You might be in the same boat as me, thinking that it’s not your duty to share the gospel, but I am here to tell you today that you are called to evangelize.

The great commission from Jesus is stated in Matthew 28:19-20 which says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you to do.” Jesus emphasized to all of us to go and share his good news. He didn’t give restrictions of who should or shouldn’t share the gospel – he calls all of us to do so.

It doesn’t matter how bad your past was, how long you have been a Christian, how good of a speaker you are, or what your track record is. Once we have been saved and have received the good news, we are called to go and share. Mark 16:15 says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”

As followers of Christ, we must follow his example and share the gospel to all who will hear. The gospel started with Jesus in Jerusalem thousands of years ago. How did it spread all over the world? By 12 men, the disciples of Jesus. They were empowered by the Holy Spirit and dedicated their lives to take every opportunity to share the salvation of Jesus Christ.

If the disciples hadn’t taken the initiative to spread the good news, Christianity would never have lasted until today. Not only should we credit the disciples, but also to everyone who has taken the effort to share the good news ever from the time of the disciples.

How did you know about Christ? It’s because someone shared about him to you. If it wasn’t for their effort to share Christ, you wouldn’t be saved today. Imagine living your whole life without having anyone speak the truth of the gospel to you. Don’t take away the chance for someone to be saved.

You hold the key to people’s happiness and joy, and that is Christ.

Christ was never meant to be kept, but to be shared.

What’s stopping you from sharing the gospel? Because whatever the reason may be, it can’t be better than letting that person miss being saved and experiencing the fullness of joy in Christ. My friend has always given me this analogy: Imagine someone with cancer who is dying. You are standing right next to them with the cure to save their life in your hands. Would you not share the cure to them?

God has a greater purpose for you in your life – greater than your job at work, school, and home. Your greater purpose is to save lives through sharing about Jesus. I now see my job in a new perspective. I no longer see my purpose as to only work, but to take every opportunity to share the love of Christ to others. We are all Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). We have the privilege to represent Christ, and we are the only closest physical thing for non believers to see a glimpse of who God is.

I have found something that is more better than receiving the good news, and that is sharing the good news. Matthew 9:37 says, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Don’t live with the lie that you are not needed to share the gospel, because there are many that still need to hear the truth of Jesus, and you might be their only chance to hear the gospel. So remember, you are called to evangelize.