What's your story?

Then Jesus came to them and said, “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.”  –Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
 
This passage was intimidating to me for much of my life. In my formative years, it was periodically trotted out to remind me what a terrible job I was doing at evangelism. Later it was used to convince me to support others who would do my job by proxy. My feelings of guilt and/or obligation stemmed from a faulty understanding of what it meant to “make disciples”. In my mind, that meant convincing people they needed me to teach them the Bible, lest they end up in hell.
 
The primary templates I’d been exposed to for that were the neighborhood door-knocking campaign, the mission to a foreign country (short- or long-term), or an earnest inquiry to friends and co-workers regarding their eternal destiny. It turned out I was not especially comfortable or skilled or effective in any of those methods of initiating a gospel conversation, so I felt this was a commandment of Jesus I was unable to obey.
 
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  –John 15:5 (NIV)
 
Eventually, I came to understand the “Great Commission” not as an impossible burden, but as the inevitable result of a growing relationship with the risen Christ. He really was with me. I really could abide in Him and He in me. As that began to happen, the result would be noticeable fruit. That was the promise.
 
For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.  –Romans 12:4-8 (NIV)
 
Moreover, maybe there was more than one way to skin a cat. I had gifts and talents, traits and characteristics that would give me influence and credibility in places others might not ever be able to go. Could “make disciples” come in multiple flavors?
 
But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.  –1Peter 3:15-16 (NET)
 
Naturally, noticeable fruit has led to opportunities to speak on behalf of my Lord. It has been said the gospel travels best on the road of relationship. Before gaining the privilege of studying the Scriptures with someone, they typically want to know what difference Jesus has made in my life. “What’s your story? What makes you tick?”
 
That’s a story worth cultivating. Sometimes we make things more complicated than they need to be. There is wonder and beauty in the story of a God who uses us to reveal Himself. Somebody in your life needs to hear your version of that story. Won by One. That’s what makes the “Great Commission” great.
 
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  –Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)