Pave the Way

[God to King David] “When you die and join your ancestors, I will make one of your sons the next king, and I will set up his kingdom. He will build a house for me, and I will let his kingdom rule always. I will be his father, and he will be my son.” (2 Samual 7:12-14)

We often envision our evangelistic pursuits as going out and professing the Good News to the world, watching in expectation and joy as people turn their hearts to the Lord. But the reality, especially today, is often somewhat less dramatic and can even be very disheartening. The enemy has his claws in much of the world through media, misinformation and indoctrination long before we ever have a chance to witness to them.

How do we keep our motivation to continue amidst the harshness of doubters and the criticism and false ideologies permeating society today? I find that it helps to consider that Christ’s parable of the sower applies more than ever! We are all sowing seeds in the world. Some will fall in good soil and take root while some will fall on rocky or shallow soil and burn up or wither away. Yet for the maximum harvest, we must keep sowing! We are assured that God will bring the increase.

We are doing our part to prepare the way and build Christ’s kingdom on earth. Any building project requires steps to be completed. There are the plans, the gathering of materials, the foundation, the rough structure, the finish-work, and a myriad of divisions within each of these areas. 

King David wanted to build God’s Temple but was told that duty would fall on his son, Solomon. David then set about preparing the way for his son’s work. He arranged the materials, the site and the means. 

Perhaps your evangelism will plant a seed. You may lay a foundation without the building. You may rough in the belief of another. You may be adding the finish-work to what was already started. But you may also simply be “purchasing the lot” for future building. You may be excavating. The point is that the rough-carpenter does not concern himself with the finish-work. He only concerns himself with preparing the project to the best of his ability. 

Do not be discouraged in any case. Your efforts are not in vain when they are in line with God! His word will never return empty. Keep your evangelism and know that you are a step in a process that WILL eventually bear fruit! May God bless your efforts and bring great increase to your work for His kingdom!