Evangelizing is Serious Business!

According to the Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary, to Evangelize means 'to try to convert (a group or area) to a different religion (especially Christianity). In my understanding, I figured it was telling people of the great, awesome God I met, and how one encounter with Him changed my life. I believed that I had a responsibility to let them know how much they are loved by the God who created all things and that nothing they ever did - wrong or right - could separate them from the marvelous love of God. As long as the person had received the Word, and came to baptism, I thought the rest of Christianity was up to them. But, I am learning that it takes more from us. We still have work to do.
People get baptized and commit themselves to the house of the Lord for many different reasons. If those reasons do not center around desiring a true, intimate relationship with God, then sadly, we watch people fall back into sin. It's easy to sit back and think to ourselves that the person didn't truly connect with God, or that they were deceived by the enemy, or they simply gave in to the lusts of the flesh. But, I can't help but feel that we have to be more diligent and active in their spiritual growth as they move from babes to mature children of God. Maybe we need to pray for them, encourage them with a Word, listen to their problems and help them to seek counsel from the leadership of the church. Maybe we need to pick them up and bring them to church so they could develop a sense of commitment. Maybe we need to involve them in activities that would help them to fit in and feel accepted. Maybe we can help them develop their prayer habits, and pair up with them to fast. Maybe, just maybe, it is much more than 'leading to the pasture' but includes teaching them to graze!
I am saddened to see many men and women, with such great calls upon their lives, walk out of the Kingdom to return to the old things. It pains me to know that they felt so burdened, so hurt, alone, and broken, that the weight of their lives got too heavy, that they never truly experienced Christ and so they turned their backs on the ONLY one who could love them so deeply, so purely, so unconditionally...
Let's not look at backsliding as only their problem. Today let's search ourselves to find out where we could have been more instrumental in helping them to truly come to a place where they could seek God, and find Him, where they would refresh themselves daily in His Word, where they can be truly rooted and grounded in His Kingdom. Let us help people to come to Christ - and let us do what we can to help each other to STAY under the shadow of the Almighty...
Love You ALL in Jesus Name.