Evangelism – Just a walk in the park!

This morning seemed just the right time for Geoff and myself to get out of the house and head to our favourite area for a walk – admittedly spurred on by the wearing of my Fitbit! The sun was shining, the leaves are turning, and we began walking but right at the start of the walk we saw someone setting up a display stand and stopped to find out what it was about – evidently to entice us to become members of the Woodland Trust. We decided to come back after our walk when the display was fully set up.

We enjoyed our brisk 20 minute walk (approx. 2000 steps  !) and, true to our word, paused to chat to the woodland ranger behind the stand. All sorts of freebies were attracting me – a woodland poster, a helpful resource to identify trees from their leaves, a booklet about woodland walks in other parts of the country – I was very drawn to becoming a member!

Then, suddenly the focus of our conversation changed – it only takes a split second to realise what an opportunity God presents!

Geoff asked him if the ranger could explain the reason for so many varieties of trees, plants, birds and wildlife – and although he told us he had been a scientist, he actually had no answers. In fact he seemed to be deeply impacted by that question, and touched in his emotions. Our conversation developed in a lovely way so we were able to share our own experience of encountering the reality of God the Creator, and how we came  to make a decision to trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation.

As we stood chatting in this lovely woodland it was so obvious that God makes Himself known in and through His creation. It was so easy, so natural, and we felt God certainly touched our new friend with His love and powerful sense of His presence at work.

Romans 3:19-20 “For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and diving nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.”

It was just a walk in the park – well, the woodland! It’s not difficult to be friendly, to show interest in other people and their interests, or indeed their dogs! And, yes, we made a choice, we  become members! We pray that our new friend will discover soon that becoming a believer in Christ is not about becoming a member of an institution, but becoming a true child of God and a part of His family.

Happy walking!