evangelism. A recruiter once told me that for the recruitment
process to match both push and pull is needed. There has to be a
reason for a change, a reason to leave. If not, no matter how hard
the pull, finances or opportunities, the pull is never strong
enough. My friend is a budding evangelist and as we were talking
about connecting people to Jesus I spoke of the push / pull of
evangelism. The push is a reason someone would consider giving their
life to the Lord. That could be regret, desire for a different life,
awareness of sin or fear of death. Whatever, something has to push
the person out of their old life. The bible would describe that as
conviction, an awareness of needing to change, to leave an old
lifestyle for another. Without a push, conviction, a response to the
Lord is likely not deep enough.
The pull is called grace, grace that says life can be more
fulfilling. It is a conviction of John 10:10 that Jesus does offer
life. The pull can be to make a difference, to have peace of heart
and soul or any other benefit of walking with the Lord (the Psalms
speak of remembering the benefits of serving the Lord). Without the
pull, a person is not "pulled" into intimacy and dependency upon the
Lord. Without the pull a person may be leaving their old life but
not walking toward a new one.
If so, then the journey of an evangelist is to stir push / pull
moments, to discern what is needed in the life of another and to
provide either the push or the pull by speaking God's heart about the
appropriate one. Another way is to ask, "What is keeping you from
giving your life to the Lord?" The point of all of this is to be
ambassadors of the Lord, breathing into the moment of push or pull so
that the person continues to move toward the Lord and eventually
gives their life to Jesus.
So, I have a new question as I sit with people and work with them.
Do I stir the push or the pull? Which does this person need to move
toward Jesus?
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