Joel, Written by Wanda Rodriguez, Written on May 6, 2026, Published on May 29, 2026

Joel

Written by Wanda Rodriguez

Written on May 6, 2026

Published on May 29, 2026

The Great Commission is detailed in Matthew 28:18–20, after His resurrection, Jesus declares to His disciples that, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  I am not a biblical scholar by any stretch of the imagination, but I see the Great Commission as a call to action for ALL believers.  My understanding of this lesson is that, as believers and followers of Christ, we are ALL required to do these things: to seek, to teach, and to share God’s word; to help bring others to Christ and to do so without borders. 

If you are a believer then the veil has been lifted from your eyes, the Holy Spirit resides in you and will give you the words when sharing God’s message.  Still, I find myself terrified to fulfill this particular commandment.  I can’t be the only one.  Are you comfortable evangelizing?  Going out and boldly sharing God’s word with others? Strangers?  Praying for and with others, OUTLOUD!?  Putting yourself out there and risking rejection, humiliation or fear of being exposed as an uneducated fraud if you stumble in response to challenges raised.  Wouldn’t it make more sense to leave it to someone else to do.  You know, someone who is clearly more well equipped to handle such a task.  It is easy to stay in the warmth of your own cozy, little pocket of comfort.  Why take that risk, right?  That’s not my gifting! Let the pastor handle that! The missions' folks have got this; I would just mess it up.   You know, it makes the most sense to have a more seasoned Christian run with this one.  They will be better prepared to counter and defend discussions about God and His perfect plan should things go south during their exchange.  

Not me, Nope!   

Anyone but me.  

I am not knowledgeable enough.  

I am not confident enough.  

I won’t know what to say.  

It is not in my wheelhouse.  

They will rip me to shreds.  

The reasons not to campaign for Christ are abundant, as well as commanded.  Jesus did not say for us to go and make disciples if you feel like it or if you are comfortable with it.  He simply commanded ALL of his followers (us included) to “Go!”  This is easier said than done if you ask me.  I consider myself to be an extrovert except when it comes to this subject.  My confidence wanes.  I feel an intense, sudden onset of memory loss as it pertains to any biblical knowledge.  Excuses start lining up in my mind to jump out and take one for the team.  Anything to get out of this uncomfortable activity.  All hands-on deck!!  This is not a drill!

Do you remember Toucan Sam, the bird from the Fruit Loops commercials who would “follow his nose” to the delicious reward of food at the end?  I felt like Sam last Sunday when I reluctantly ventured out into a neighborhood outreach experience with my church.  I tossed out excuses every step of the way but, despite my best efforts, I continued forward movement towards joining in on the endeavor.  I was on the fence right up to the wire but cautiously attached myself to a small group on a prayer walk through the neighborhood.  This seemed to be the safest option for me as I assumed, incorrectly, that we would not have to actively engage with strangers on a prayer walk.  As the name implies, we would simply have to walk and pray, right?  Wrong!  

Footnote, I did go on the venture but stated more than once that I did not want to pray out loud.  I stood by that.  An error for me might have been joining a group that had one of the pastors from my church.  He’s your typical Chatty Cathy type (that is a compliment!) who has never met a stranger.  He had zero hesitation when it came to approaching strangers.  Great.  The plus side here is that he did most of the talking and all of the audible praying. 

I made it through the experience unscathed and enjoyed hearing the testimonies of folks following the outing.  It seemed as though everyone involved both shared and received blessings in one way or another.  After the experience I made a quick stop at the grocery store on the way home.  While in line to leave, I couldn’t help but notice that my cashier seemed vacant and distracted.  I watched him for cues, and I wondered if I should engage or mind my own bee's wax.  I thought back to something that the pastor referenced above had said to the group, prior to our prayer walk, when someone inquired about how to know who to approach while evangelizing.  His reply was simple, once that internal debate starts about whether you should or you should not approach, that is your signal to initiate contact.  I witnessed him take this answer into action several times during our prayer walk. I decided it was time for me to take the plunge.  

I asked the cashier how he was doing to which he gave a flat, formatted response.  I looked at him, as he continued to stare off into the distance, and asked, “Are you sure?”  For the first time he turned and looked at me, he began to open up.  It was like a flood gate had opened.  He said his name was Joel and, with fear and trepidation, I asked if I could pray for him.  He said I could add him to a prayer list if I wanted but I said I would like to pray with you now and I proceeded to do so.  Were this a Hallmark movie, I would have prayed eloquently, and we would have shared a profoundly moving moment.  As is the case, I am more of a Mel Brooks fan and, as such, my execution of prayer was nothing short of comical.  Very choppy.  Awkward. Repetitive.  Barely audible.   

Regardless of my ill perceived delivery, my intention was on the money.  My openness to God’s prompting was evident. I recognized my obedience to God’s commandment in the Great Commission through this experience.  Baby steps were made on this day.  The Holy Spirit was with me to provide direction, even if I botched some of my “lines.” I felt like Toucan Sam in a way.  Sam would follow his nose and be rewarded in the end with delicious cereal.  I followed “my nose” (which in this case was God’s prodding) and I was rewarded in the end as well.  My reward was meeting Joel, taking the time to recognize a need in him, to address it and to pray with him.  Out loud!  I may never see Joel again, but I am thankful that God put him in my path and I in his.  That’s better than a bowl of cereal if you ask me.  

Be faithful to God in all things, even the little things.  Your reward in the end will be great and everlasting.  Way better than Fruit Loops!

Matthew 28:16-20 

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

John 20:21

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

ACTS 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”