A heart for the lost

For a long time, my view on evangelism was that we had to find and receive that burden from the Lord before we could effectively do so. God had definite plans on saving people and we had to find out his agenda and carry out his proposals for the lost. However it dawned on me that God's heart is different from ours. He could be constantly grieved over the hardness of people's hearts and yet be working to bring His people to salvation. He is always longing for the lost to return to Him and yet He can be fully justified in condemning the rebellious. Just because He could save all does not mean that he has decided to save all. That is where I differ from Him because if I could save all, I would. It seems like I am more merciful than God but it just shows that He is Holy and I am not. He is full of mercy and yet absolutely righteous. I do not have much of both. Remember that the root meaning of 'holy' is - not like any other. 

So what is my conclusion? Just because God's ways are past finding out, I do not have to wait. Because I see my people being lost and I can stand on their side. I do not have to know God's mind regarding individual people because He is always wishing that all return to Him. I do not know whether God would finally touch him or her, but I can plead with them to turn to God. My burden need be only that God would have mercy. I am crying out that the wayward would return to the One who gave them a chance to live.