Are You A Crawler for Christ?

A crawler or spider is a certian type of search engine that collects a wide and varied lot of information for its search purposes. Its bot, or automation process, roams the internet in search of content, often bringing back a variety of hard to find information and arranges it accordingly, based on pre-determined criteria. So that leads me to this question-in your winessing, are you a crawler for Christ? To start with, witnessing is not just for those brave souls who venture into obscure jungles and untamed wildreness. Many children, and often adults, dream of becoming a missionary, and are sure the only way to do this is by going a thousand miles away. While this is certainly a noble cause and nothing wrong with it in itself, God has not just called a select few to spread the gospel. Anyone can be a missionary! Your witnessing work can begin 5 minutes from home, with a co-worker at work, or even right from your own home with the comforts of the internet. It takes every ounce of bravery, and (sometimes) risk, to be a missionary as your overseas counterparts. So, no matter how you witness, it is equally important in the sight of God! We talked about the spider analogy, but what is a crawler for Christ? A crawler for Christ is just like an internet spider, except he goes in search of people in need of the gospel. And just like his internet buddy, he goes on a comprehensive search for people-that may otherwise blend into the woodwork-not just those obvious folks in dire need of our Lord. A basic missionary can be compared to a basic search engine-just as a basic engine presents widely sought after information, the basic missionary preaches to the obvious-the Satanists, the village children of South America, the unsaved on their deathbeds. While this is all well and good, a crawler for Christ does not forget the not-so-obvious people of our everyday-who need Christ just as much a remote country. Being a crawler is not hard to do! And it can start from where you are sitting right now. Start by making a list of some people in your every day life who may benefit from your example, maybe somebody you overlooked another day. Then start with baby steps to be a prime example of Christ to that person. A worker at the grocery store? You could where a noticable cross necklace or other Christian jewlery, or just simply say "God bless you" on your way out. Or you could invite a coworker that others seem to overlook to lunch soon. Just showing something simple, like thoughtfulness, would be an excellent example of your faith. Or maybe its your lonely neighbor down the street. Strike up a simple conversation sometime on yard mowing days.

But some spiders are an unwelcome guest. Many churches and Christians themselves endorse the "force" method-that is, going randomly door to door or greeting people in other ways and immediately preaching verse after verse to them in a rushed attempt to get them to commit to salvation. Talk about confusing, not to mention irritating! While these door to door evangelists motives are pure, their attempts are often misguided. This kind of pressure is probably the biggest turn off when trying to win people to Christ, not to mention dangerous as many will appear at the home of unknown strangers. If someone welcomes you with a shotgun or more, it kind of defeats the purpose of your visit! As has been said, YOU are the only Bible some people with ever read, so make it that way! Just as you, or anybody else, probably responds best to love and kindness, so does someone in the need of Christ. After all, the very esscence of God IS Love, and he would like for His character to be presented this way. Like we said, thoughtfulness to a co-worker, for example, can speak volumes. The person in question may notice that you conduct yourself in ways different from others he or she might know. This may lead them to wonder or even question the motives for your Christian behavior. In time, this may , or may not, lead to simple chances to present the gospel or answer their questions. But take heart. Even if the person your are praying for never asks for the gospel, don't be in a rush to force it down their throats, unwelcomed. Just remember, if God has sincerely placed a person in your path whom he wishes to save, its highly unlikely He would let that person die or go astray before you had the chance to help persuade, or have a part, in persuading his conversion. Also, be sure to incorporate your Christian behavior into their everyday lives, and not as a separate subject, since this can make the person feel like its is just "religion". Are they having some trouble in their lives? Mention you will send a prayer up for them. Are they celebrating something? Be excited along with them. Have the person see that God is much more complex than just "church on Sunday"- that He is part of every area of life, and affects everything that lives and breathes and feels emotion. Present Him as the real and loving being that He is-and not as a high and mighty tyrant.

So then, do you want to a be a crawler for Christ? The Bible says "He who wins souls is wise" and that He will make us "Fishers of Men". Allow God to spin a intricate web of individuals in need. Look for them-they might be right under your nose! And just like a real spider, make your threads tender and your glue strong. Then you will be a crawler for Christ!

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Hark, the voice of Jesus calling
“Who will go and work today?
Fields are ripe and harvests waiting,
Who will bear the sheaves away?”
Long and loud the Master calls us,
Rich reward He offers free;
Who will answer, gladly saying,
“Here am I, send me, send me”?

If you cannot cross the ocean
And the distant lands explore
You can find the lost around you
You can help them at your door
If you cannot give your thousands,
You can give the widow’s mite
What you truly give for Jesus,
Will be precious in His sight.

Let none hear you idly saying
“There is nothing I can do.”
While the lost of earth are dying,
And the Master calls for you;
Take the task He gives you gladly
Let His work your pleasure be
Answer quickly when He calls you,
“Here am I, send me, send me.”