The Narrow Way

“Girl!” She said full of excitement as she walked over and slapped my shoulder. “You just did something I never thought anyone could do!” 😳🫣

I smiled, but not a full blown proud smile, it was more of a half smile, because I thought I knew what she was referring to and if it was THAT, well, frankly I had very little to do with it. 😌😊

The truth is, since shortly after that moment in my kitchen, I became overwhelmingly aware of my role. Sure, I had the “highlight,” I was able to be part of that absolutely incredible moment when someone becomes fully aware of AND says ‘yes’ to Jesus. But it wasn’t as if I brought her there. It was the the Holy Spirit Himself, who promised to draw all men to Jesus, combined with the prayers of many.

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:44

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth,will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32

“Do you know how long I had been praying for her?!” this friend continued. Truth is, I didn’t, I didn’t know for certain where she stood in her faith until now. She went on to describe times in the past with this mutual friend, now a believer, and her efforts at witnessing. And I think now how it wasn’t wasted. She didn’t fail. She was seed planting and ground tilling. And it wasn’t just her…I knew another co-worker was praying too…

Shortly after this friend in her 40s received the Lord, I mentioned she should tell someone of her decision to follow Jesus. To my surprise, she already had. She had messaged two family members, one of whom is a Christian, to let them know. That Christian, her sister, had been praying for her for years…

And all of this came to my attention AFTER the fact. I had asked 3 different prayer groups to pray before we met that day, far more than I usually do. One called me after to tell me how she was interceding during our time together. Others rejoiced in the news but didn’t give me details of their prayer time. People near and far had prayed. Friends of mine in Russia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the US paused to intercede for a single soul to experience the greatest miracle we will ever know on this side of eternity: the revelation of Jesus that leads to salvation.

I had been ‘high’ with joy since the moment we had prayed, and the more I uncovered after she accepted Jesus, the more humbled I felt. I got to do the fun part. But that part, that moment of decision, wouldn’t have been if not for all of the people who prayed in past and present for her salvation. They did the hard work, I had the easy job, the privileged role and it’s an honor. Each time I’ve been able to pray with people to receive the Lord, it’s an honor, because each time is a miracle.

I have to admit, when it comes to people over 40, I’ve had less faith at times for their conversions. It’s stupid of me really. I just haven’t seen as much and often think people are settled in their ways. 🤷‍♀️ But as I reflected on this lie I’ve believed, I was reminded of another former co-worker. She was in her late 50s/early 60s. And the timing was just right.

I had been sharing on and off with her and began praying more…then one day, she asked to speak privately with me about God. I had actually prayed for her all that weekend, and God had done it, He prepared and awakened her. Before finding time at the end of the day I messaged people to pray. It was again the Africans, Russians, and American group as well as some local friends.

When we went in that room the grace was there and I spoke freely, sharing the Gospel and other spiritual Truths as I went. Towards the end, I asked her what she wanted…just like the woman above…would she like prayer or would she like to repent and have Jesus in her life right now? I don’t know why, but I often expect them to back down and just allow me to pray for them….but surprisingly, they don’t. In those God-ordained moments—they’re ready. It’s like reaching up and picking a ripe apple from a tree. The tree did all of the work forming and growing the apple, I just need to grab it. So we prayed. That woman too received Jesus that day, I still smile when I think of her joy. I still remember how unlikely it seemed, and how evident it was that God had prepared her all that weekend (she shared several stories with me before we prayed and it was clear: He did it). He made her aware and ready. He answered the prayers that had been prayed, so by the time we sat down, the hard part was already done. My work was easy. 🍎

I’m sharing about these two women in particular for two reasons 1) because of the recency of one of them, while I’m reminded of this other and 2) because I’m not unaware of the labor that preceded my work.

I’ve had the honor to lead many people to Jesus 1:1, in smaller groups, on street corners, or while ministering in larger gathering. It is an honor and a gift, but it never happens if there hasn’t first been a labor of prayer from others. Some of these I know the details, I’ve seen their pivotal moments of how/when Jesus really made Himself real. And others I’ve not been able to know the full story (like the larger gatherings).

I remember another, a man, who actually died before I could ever share with him 🥺 He was one of my hospice patients. He had been rapidly changing and God so deeply impressed him on my heart. You would think this would happen a lot with hospice patients dying left and right, but honestly it didn’t. 🤷‍♀️ Anyway, one day while doing his meds, the Lord prompted me to gather them in his room instead. I then struck up a conversation about God. He listened. It was clear he wasn’t saved but was questioning. In the end, we prayed, but not for salvation. I didn’t feel he was ready, but he was close. Knowing his days were coming to a close, I messaged the intercessors. Many prayed. Days later, he was hospitalized for a pain crisis and died shortly after. My heart sank a bit and I wrestled with wondering “should I have pushed a bit?” But I knew it wasn’t quite there…

About a week later I was sitting in a cubby on the 4th floor of the hospital he died in doing some charting. A chaplain I knew came up to me full of excitement. He asked if I had heard about what had happened with this man…Full of joy he told me that just before dying, the man’s sister, (who he had always referred to as “a little weird” and I had wondered if they were Christians), had come to see him in the hospital. They talked and she was able to lead him to the Lord. In the chaplains words “he received Jesus as his Lord and Savior!” 🙌

I wept 😭 I still get tearful thinking of him 🥲and this was 5/10/15. I get emotional because I labored in prayer, but it wasn’t for me to be “the apple picker.”🍏 And if not for the chaplain, I wouldn’t have known, at least not on this side of eternity. I was so overwhelmed that day at the goodness of God to answer the prayer of so many, to let me know the man was safe, and more than anything that He gave this praying sister (who I never knew or met) the honor to be the one to pray with him. Glory to God. ❤️

I’m sharing these because I’m excited for my friend who has told several that she’s “walking with God now.” How he revealed Himself to her that day is really hers to tell…It was so beautiful. And it’s unique. They all are. He meets each one where they are and opens their eyes to exactly what they need to see to understand He is God. In those moments, those precious minutes when they are looking at their own soul soberly in a mirror, they find the Truth and the Truth sets them free to their new life in Christ. 🙌 There’s no more room to hide or deny…they can if they want…but why would you when you are suddenly aware of His Presence and Love? He draws them to repentance with His kindness. He lets them See His hand and they become undone by it.

Leading people to Jesus isn’t hard if you’re willing. But it’s impossible without His Spirit first preparing the ground of their hearts, and most often, that’s done behind the scenes through prayer and perhaps a witness or two in their lives. It could be just one dedicated intercessor praying for years, or it could be a sudden bombardment of many for a short time, but whichever the case, I can assure you—every soul that come into the kingdom is there through the labor of more than the harvester. 💪

“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. ⁸ The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.” 1 Cor 5:7-9

I believe the roles are interchangeable. How many times I have prayed for the lost far exceeds the amount I’ve seen come to Jesus in person. But it all counts. It’s all part of the same work. There’s no lesser or greater role, the end result simply doesn’t come if all the pieces don’t work together.

So I want to leave you with this, as I continue to rejoice over my friend: do the work. Pray for the lost whenever God puts them on your heart! It’s NOT lost or in vain. Follow up on His promptings to reach out. Be bold, acknowledge and respect where people are, but at the same time be willing to offer to pray WITH them, not just for them. Have the conversations, take the time, meet up with them. Love them into the Kingdom. You may prepare the way at times and other times you may pick the fruit. Both are necessary.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15

Rejoice with me today, and as always, thanks for stopping by. 🙂