“If any of you are embarrassed over me [Jesus] and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels.” 

Mark 8:38 MSG.

Are you embarrassed to talk about Jesus? Do you feel as if your carefree friends are going to look down on you like you’re some “Bible thumper” or religious fanatic if you bring Him up in a conversation?

Sadly, Jesus Christ isn’t always popular in a crowd.

But now is not the time to worry about such things. The world is growing darker, and people need to hear about the Light of the world and that He, Jesus Christ, is the Son of God and the only way to the Father in Heaven.

Don’t shy away now, precious soul. Don’t hide in the corner and hope someone else will be bold. And don’t worry about upsetting people or making them uncomfortable.

Pray for wisdom and listen for the Holy Spirit’s prompting. He will guide you and give you just the right words to say at just the right time.

And when He does, your own faith will flourish too.

But what do you do if your friends roll their eyes, laugh, or walk away from you when you try to talk to them about Jesus?

You pray for them. Pray for them like never before, and don’t give up.

The enemy wants you to give up as he tries to lay claim to them as “his” territory by causing strife in the moment, enough to make your friends walk away while you stand there feeling awkward and embarrassed as you tell yourself you’ll just keep your mouth shut next time.

That’s exactly what the enemy wants you to do. Satan will lie and tell you people are going to think you’re weird if you speak the name of Jesus, so you should just keep quiet. The enemy doesn’t want you to speak the name of Jesus Christ because he has to flee when he hears that powerful name. So, speak it out loud and with great courage!

Don’t let your emotions, your feelings of embarrassment guide you away from a powerful opportunity to snatch others from the fire.

Your story, your words are powerful! Use them for God’s glory. Love others with them. Speak of eternity to encourage them to plan ahead. Remind them this world is temporary and the next one is not. Teach them that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and His name is powerful when spoken – speak His name in their presence and stand in awe and humility as things begin to change.

Oh, dear soul. Be brave! One day you will be accountable before the Father. Wouldn’t you rather risk having your friends walk away from you or strangers mock you than to see Jesus Christ shake His head at you later in utter disappointment?

You’re only on this earth for a little while. Live to please Jesus Christ, the One you’ll be spending eternity with. And when you live a life on fire to serve and please Him, you may make mistakes, but you’ll never embarrass Him when you try.