“It seems like you’re really happy,” Lacy told me wistfully one day.

“I haven’t always been content. I used to look for answers and meaning in the things around me, but I always came up empty. Then in college I became a Christian, and God changed everything for me. I realized God isn’t distant or far away. He’s real and He cares about me. He gives my life meaning and purpose.” Lacy looked skeptical but interested. “Why don’t you drop by my house after you get off work and join us for dinner?” I asked. “I’m making lasagna.”

Lacy smiled. “That sounds great.”

The command to share the gospel can seem daunting at times. Yet we can take comfort in the fact that the Holy Spirit is the One who changes hearts—not us—and He will give us the words and wisdom we need. One of the most effective ways to share the gospel is simply to share your story. Each follower of Jesus has a personal story of what God has done in his or her life because God is personal and knows and deeply loves each of us.

When we are real and genuine about our walk with God and our relationship with Him, people see what He means to us and that we believe He is who He says He is. Non-Christians will see that if you, a person who is similar to them in some way, can be a Christian, they can too.