Timing

(Proverbs 25:25 KJV)  As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

Have you ever tried to share your faith with a non-believer?  Have you ever tried to reprove a believer?  How did it go for you?  My guess is that most of the time you either generated apathy or anger.  They might have a need but their defenses were still in place.  Their “soul” (5315) [nephesh] was not “thirsty" (weary NASB) (5889) enough. 

Think of how you respond when someone is trying to tell you how to do your job, or other areas of life.  I don’t listen much when most people try to tell me how to teach.  Experience has told me that what works for them may not work for me.  It has also shown me that it didn’t work for them either.  When my son introduces me to new technology, I am all ears.  On new technology I am aware that my soul is weary.  I know I need something.

The times that I have been “successful” in sharing the gospel have always surprised me.  The people who have responded were ready.  They were hungry and knew it.  They were hungry enough to admit it.

So?  Continue to look for opportunities to share the good news but don’t take the response personally.  It may be that they are so good at keeping the Holy Spirit at arms length that they won’t listen to anyone.  On the other hand, it may be time.