Go Out and Evangelize.
August 29, 2011 § 4 Comments
Trever and I were both raised in Christian homes. With Christian belief systems. And Christian values. And loads and loads of weekly Christian activities. One prevalent activity that Trever would bring up quite often with anxiety and fear at the beginning of our relationship was “evangelism.”
At some point in his youth, the evangelism of his family religion left him feeling nervous about talking to anyone about anything spiritual or close to it. Years ago we had a conversation that went something like this,
“I hate evangelizing! It makes me feel so awkward and on the spot. I’m afraid I won’t be able to answer all of their questions or know all the right responses.”
We’ve all been here before, regardless the conversation we’re fearing. Here’s the thing: We all evangelize.
“You’re a great evangelist, Trev. You evangelize every day!”
“I am? I do?”
It took him a few moments to grasp what I was getting at. He is one of the greatest evangelists I’ve ever met. He’s unabashed, smart, witty, intelligent, resourceful, encouraging, wise, and, when it comes down to it, very persuasive. It just took someone else to point that out for him to see it from a different perspective.
“You don’t have to evangelize about your religion or spirituality to be an evangelist. That’s just a term that numerous groups have adopted to express the definition.”
That’s the truth of it. Evangelism is everywhere and in every thing. It’s simple self-promotion in the littlest things we say, do, wear, and present by who we are. It oozes out of us, both positive and negative, regardless of what we intend. That’s the importance of making actionable thoughts and sharing those beliefs with others in a non-confrontational and beautiful way. Your creativity is just that opportunity. It speaks volumes of what you are evangelizing about.
To this day, Trever evangelizes about his discovery of micronutrients in veggies and how his wife makes him eat well, his love of oil paints, having a natural homebirth, following your passions and being creative, and the awesomeness of being a dad among others. The guy is always sharing his love and perspective with others in a passionate and authentic way. Sometimes I catch him in the act and he blushes and smiles, “What? Am I doing it again?” That’s his natural pastoral side that comes out when he’s with people. His first love. Okay, maybe third. Wait. Fourth. Ha!
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Photo: Trever and Audrey sitting on a bench at Disneyland. Evangelizing.
I absolutely agree! My mom told me recently that it is my job to carry my message; not deliver it. That was life-changing for me.
Oooh. I like that! I like your mom.
That’s good, because I like you too. Great post! Both you and Trev are “authentic” and encouragers of others simply by being you. I know, all I want is the freedom to be true to my self, without fear, doubt and insecurity, getting in the way. When I am, that is when I “hear” God’s voice most clearly. Seeing others be true to themselves – encourages me to keep stepping in that direction – and the farther I get down that road – the more I appreciate and genuinely love other people. Exactly what the Lord wants us to do. – so, evangelize away -both of you
Trever… Know it or not, God and the Holy Spirit surround you so much that to not believe after knowing you, would be nothing short of denial and or ignorance. You were an amazing boy and I’ve no doubt an even more amazing man. Love to you and your whole family. Those I know and those I don’t …Kevan Michaels