Poetry Post: These Are the Lost and Unaware (ft. Ramblings on Evangelism)

Today I want to talk about something that makes most of us inwardly squirm with discomfort.
Evangelism.
For some of us, it's easy. For most of us...it's hard. Sure, I could talk to my friends all day, but you'd have to pay me to go up and talk to a perfect stranger. Especially if I want to talk to them about Christ. Why? Why is it so hard for us to talk to people about our Savior? Why is it so hard to share the good news?
Well, there's a couple things, at least for me.
First and foremost: I'm afraid. Plain and simple. Of what? Rejection mostly. Also, the possibility of being mocked or laughed at or being thought less of.
Secondly, I have this terrible ailment called pride. I don't want people to think I'm "one of those crazy Christians". Am I wrong in this? Absolutely. I mean, I'm SUPPOSED to be "set apart", right? Trust me, I'm working on it. By God's grace I'll overcome this pride one day.
Lastly, I tell myself that'll I'll only mess things up if I try to share the gospel. God doesn't need our help to get His Word out to the people He wants to hear it, right? He could just have a Bible fall out of the sky and land in the hands of some person who was ready to accept the Truth. So why should I risk turning someone away from God by my rambling approach to the good news? 
I can't remember where I was or who it was that said this, but recently, someone said something that struck me as utterly profound. (Please don't laugh at what I'm about to disclose to you. I'm sure you thought of this LOOONG ago, but give us slower ones a chance to catch up, ok?)
Evangelism is a gift. It was one of the spiritual gifts mentioned in Ephesians. God GIVES us the opportunities to evangelize. And when we don't take them, it's actually turning down a gift from God.
When I realized this, it gave me a whole different aspect on evangelism. I realized that when I felt prompted to go up to someone and ask them if they knew about God and His Son's sacrifice, to refuse to reach out to them was to refuse a gift from God.
Does this mean I'll never be rejected again? Does it mean I'll never be mocked either directly or behind my back or have people think I'm some crazy weirdo? Does it mean I'll always present the gospel in the best possible way for that particular person? Ha! NO. Of course I'm going to be rejected. Probably a lot. But I only have to try. That's all God wants from us. He wants us to try.
It's like us taking that gift and beginning to unwrap it. It might take a long time for the gift to be opened, but if God wants that gift opened, He'll make it happen. And if we get to produce the first rip in the wrapping paper, it's because He decided we got to play a part in His plan. And doesn't that sound amazing?
Ok, ramble over.

I really wanted to post this because I wrote a poem recently and wanted to share it with you. But I got carried away with talking about evangelism. Sorry about that. ;) Hey, maybe someone out there needed to hear this. So I'm leaving the rant in.
However, now I'll go on to the real post by introducing, without further ado:

These Are the Lost and Unaware

A poem by Rebekah Eddy
 

Happiest smiles hide the most hurting hearts

Where the scar ends is where the wound starts

To the rest of the world life seems almost unreal

Desperate for someone to hear their appeal

When they cry out in fear or in pain

When used by others for their own selfish gain

Their whole life feels worthless and empty

A mere raindrop in the vast open sea

But they put on a show for the world

A stage where their life is unfurled

They practice their lies day and night

Until even they have begun to lose sight

Blinding themselves with deception

Nodding at their phony reflection

They think they can make it to heaven

Convinced their flour outweighs their leaven

Clutching in a hundred thousand sweaty palms

Their good deeds, their dirty rags as alms

These are the lost and unaware

We were once like those poor fearful souls 

Believing in things that were quite full of holes 

Only by the grace of our God alone 

Can we look forward to the judgment throne 

But while we are here in amongst the cries 

The broken hearts and the same old lies 

 Are we gonna just stand around down here 

Ignoring a world of faces full of fear?

Are we gonna go and share the good news

Or hide behind our precious church pews

The harvest is ready, the fields are white

Why stop now when the goal is in sight?

The harvest is plenty, the workers are few

Stop waiting around, there is so much to do

Open your bible, go talk to that person 

Open your ears and be there to listen

Share God's truth without hesitation

All it needs from us is some presentation

We are the sinners saved by grace

Don't forget, my giveaway is still going on! If you haven't entered yet, here are the links you need! :) Three lucky people are going to walk away with a copy of one of my books...don't think YOU might not be one! :D Have fun!

First giveaway: An autographed copy of "The Silver Flower"!
Second giveaway: An autographed copy of (my yet to be released) "Alice & Alyssa"!
Third (and final) giveaway: An autographed copy of my newest novel "The Princess and I"!

Until I post again, let everything you do be done for the glory of God! :)