Witness Wednesdays

The word "witnessing" has gotten a bad rap in recent years. Let me set a stereotypical picture for you of a person who once "witnessed" to me...
As I walked out of the building, I was bombarded with several people who had small pamphlets in their hands and who were also quite loud. I was in the middle of conversing with someone when we were all kind of split from each other and stared into the eyes of what looked like either an angry or frightened person. He stretched out his hand practically forcing the pamphlet into my hand and looked me square in the eyes and uttered these words: "If you were to die tonight where would you go heaven or hell?" I stood there stunned knowing full well that Jesus and I were extremely close to each other and would spend the rest of eternity getting to know each other. Unfortunately, I was so stunned that nothing came out immediately. Then, from the recesses of my brain I muttered a Sunday school series of explanations. To his first question, I responded with "Heaven". Then he said, "How do you know?" To which I responded, "Because I asked Jesus into my heart. I love Him and He loves me." I then walked away startled by the whole situation.
Now, if I was terrified of this person who was supposedly "witnessing" to me, I can only imagine how someone else might feel. Good grief! He didn't even ask my name! He didn't introduce himself! And he didn't act as a witness of seeing God move in a mighty way. I firmly believe that God uses all sorts of ways to reach people, but do people have to be so dog-gone unnatural and weird about it. There were other people touched that night and praise God for it. But again, I kind of go back to my thinking that I really don't care what you know, until I know that you care.
Similar things have happened seeing guys holding signs up and screaming on the corner about how we are all going to Hell without Jesus. It's absolutely true, but sheesh, calm down and talk with me about it. Or then there is the person that uses all sorts of Christianese language when speaking to me. Someone once asked: Are you saved and sanctified? What, huh? Most Christians can't agree on certain dialects of Christianese language and we've got people using it to people that have never set foot in a church building.
I say all that to say this: A witness is someone who has seen God in a mighty way, specifically through the revelation of Jesus Christ. If I witnessed a car accident and was told to inform the police, I would tell them what I saw and try to be of the best help I could. Maybe we need to witness in ways that are natural. Buy a co-worker lunch at work and find out about where they have come from and how they feel about things. If the conversation moves in such a way that an opportunity to present Christ happens then great! Mostly, we must learn to listen to God's Spirit in those situations. What about taking the opportunity to pray with someone who is having a difficult time, if that's what God's Spirit directs. God's in charge of converting people, not you! Rather be his instrument if He has chosen to use you at that moment. Some of the best "witnessing" jobs I ever did took over several years and required much patience, but those people are a part of Kingdom now so it was worth it. I didn't wear them down with a bunch of high-church talk, rather I loved them and cared for them. Choose this day, how you act as a witness for Christ; listen to His Spirit and love people.