Bella is a multi-disciplinary creative who is currently working in a creative agency outworking their content creation. She has spent most of her working life in ministry and church.
Stepping out into a secular work environment was a challenge, especially when it came to bringing up her faith. But Bella discovered a simple secret that made all the difference…
In my life, I’ve only ever worked in Christian ministries and churches. But recently I started a new job in a totally secular environment. I’ve wanted to be serious about living life on mission but I’ve felt nervous about how to talk to people about Jesus in a natural way. I’ve felt challenged by the Holy Spirit to just be honest when the moment arises and I want to be obedient to that.
Well, the other day I was having lunch with a new friend from work and we were talking about life outside of work. I showed her some photos of my friends and my housemates, and she asked me where I met them. It was such a simple moment, but I said, “Oh, I met them all through church.” I explained how we grew close by serving on teams together for a long time at church. I mean, it’s not like I shared my testimony or led her through a prayer of salvation or anything like that.
It was just a simple moment of obedient honesty.
I felt pretty nervous as we were having the conversation. I didn’t know how she was going to react. I didn’t know what her past experience of church was like. I was feeling on edge.
But as the conversation went on I kept reminding myself that I wasn’t trying to convince her of anything, I was just making a plain statement about my life.
I was just sharing who I am and how I live, and that thought was really calming for me.
I realised that just being casual, honest and authentic took the pressure off. I could be obedient to the Holy Spirit and the outcome meant we grew closer as friends because we know more about each other.
The Bible says that ‘for those who love God all things work together for good’ (Romans 8:28). So sharing my faith doesn’t need to be complicated, I can just be honest about my life and trust God to work out the good.
This whole experience reminded me that I don’t need to change the whole world, I just have to do my bit. Be true to myself, display the heart of Jesus and be honest when Jesus comes up in conversation.
I realised that if I’m being honest and real, Jesus is going to come up in conversation because he’s such a big part of my life. So when someone says “Why do you do this? Or say that?” I can honestly answer with “Oh, it’s because I love God and I love people.”
And there it is, simple honesty. Be honest when someone comes up to you with questions. Be honest when you’re in a conversation, if God’s a part of your life He’ll come up.
Be honest, it doesn’t have to be more complicated than that.
Article supplied with thanks to The Journey by yesHEis.
About the Author: yesHEis provides various resources to help share your faith in relatable ways.
Images: Supplied