Won’t Take A “No”.
Ever since the hailstorm we have had a lot of places calling trying to get us to let them re-do our roof. One salesman called this week and, first, wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise while he was doing his spiel, and then wouldn’t take a “no” for an answer. “We didn’t get hit by the hail.” Won’t take that as an answer. “We just had 1/3 of our roof replaced two weeks ago” wouldn’t take that as an answer. I almost had to be blunt when he finally gave up and said goodbye.
Now, he wasn’t rude or anything, just persistent. I understand that it’s his job. If he just took the initial “no” then he probably wouldn’t drum up any work. A man’s got to put food on the table so it doesn’t really bother me.
I wonder if we are as persistent (if, hopefully, less bothersome) as he was in his attempt to make a sale, when we are attempting to win someone to the Lord? 2 Timothy 4:2 reminds us that when evangelizing we are to- preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.
Now, I know that in Matthew 10:14 as Jesus sent the Apostles out to spread the gospel he also told them; And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. We are to use discernment when deciding with whom we should share the word, and how long we should invest in people before we realize that the ground isn’t fertile and the seed can’t be planted. Matthew 7:6. Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.
Jesus also made it clear that sometimes someone would reject the call to God initially, but later change their mind. Matthew 21:28-29. What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.
It might be someone else who finally gets the seed into the soil, or it might just be a different time in their life which brings about fruitfulness but only God knows that answer. We might need to take “no” for an answer until they are ready to come to us with a “yes.”