Within Arms' Reach: Five Ways to Reach the World From Where You Are

By Marianne Stewart

I stand five feet, four and a half inches tall. That’s one inch above the average height of an adult American woman, according to a CDC report published in 2018. Studies of human body ratios say my arm span — the measurement from middle fingertip to middle fingertip with arms stretched wide — should be roughly the same as my height. Mine measures 5 feet, 6 inches, slightly over the 1:1 ratio. These measurements land me squarely in “average” territory, if we politely omit my weight.

Average height and arm span means most things I need or want are within arms’ reach, whether in kitchen cabinets or on grocery store shelves. Occasionally I must ask for help from my husband or a store attendant, and sometimes I borrow the kids’ step stool. Generally speaking, though, my reach is plenty adequate.

Yet when it comes to sharing Jesus with the world, my reach feels considerably smaller. I’m a work-from-home freelance designer and homeschool teacher for our two children. Additionally, I’m a homebody, and an introvert of introverts. Most of my time is spent at home, around the same few people, day after day. Exceptions include worship with our church family, errands around town, the kids’ speech therapy sessions, and visits to the grandparents, to name a few. Still, we spend an above-average amount of time at home, which means occasions to tell others about Jesus feel somewhat limited.

That “limited” feeling, however, could not be further from the truth! Perhaps you find yourself in a similar life season, feeling somewhat isolated, confined to your small circle of people, seemingly unable to make the Kingdom impact you desire. If so, I have excellent news! Even if your reach feels small, many significant opportunities to make an impact exist right where you are. Here are five ways within anyone’s reach to share Jesus with the world.

1. Live out a godly marriage.

If you’re married, you have a monumental opportunity to demonstrate the love of Jesus. In our self-centered culture, a God- centered marriage shines as bright as a lighthouse in utter darkness. Ephesians 5 teaches us marriage is a reflection of our relationship with Christ. We should love our spouses as Christ loves us and submit to our spouses as we submit to Christ’s authority. Specifically, husbands are the head of the family, even over the wife, just as Christ is the Head of the Church, and we are His bride.

Pursuing a godly marriage is a beautiful testimony of God’s love. Your commitment to marriage, especially when you repent of mistakes and choose to walk in God’s ways, speaks volumes to a world desperately looking for real love.

Even if God has not called you to marriage (or hasn’t yet), live your single life in purity and obedience to God’s design. Conducting yourself according to God’s Word nourishes your relationship with Him and simultaneously shines a beacon of light to the lost.

2. Love and teach your children well.

Children first encounter the love of God through their parents. Don’t take that responsibility lightly. If you have children or children in your life, love them as the Father loves you: filled with truth, grace, and mercy and without merit or condition. Keep your eyes on Jesus, and let them see your walk with Him, both in times of peace and challenge.

Make your home a haven for your children to rest in His Spirit, away from the world. Intentionally teach them God’s Word and talk with them regularly about what they’ve learned (Deuteronomy 6:7). My favorite thing to tell our kids (ages 7 and 5) is that Jesus loves them even more than I do, and that’s a whole, whole lot! Never underestimate the far-reaching impact of raising God-
fearing children.

3. Be a good friend.

In this text-message, social-media, quick-quip culture, it’s easy for friendships to remain shallow. What we need, however, are friends who know us down to our core. Friends who understand our good and bad, our hopes and struggles. Friends who will share our burdens, tell us when we’re in error, and point us to Jesus when we focus on the wrong things. These types of friendships don’t happen accidentally; they are cultivated intentionally.

To have a godly friend, you need to be a godly friend. Check in with friends regularly. Text them, but more importantly, call them. Spend time together, even if the only available time is while watching your kids play at the park. (The kiddos won’t mind if your conversation runs long.) Ask the hard questions. Edify as you are able. Pray for them and with them. Sharpen one another (Proverbs 27:17). As you seek Jesus together, you’ll see the effects ripple into other areas of your life.

4. Be a light to everyone you meet.

Demonstrate Jesus’ love and mercy everywhere you go. Show patience and cheerfulness to the grocery store cashier, even those working more slowly than you’d like. Be kind and gentle to the customer service representative on the phone. Tip your frazzled server well, even if she is slow to bring refills. Cheer for every player on your child’s ball team, and refrain from saying negative or unhelpful things, whether loudly or quietly.

At your workplace, things like a cheerful attitude, respect for authority, being careful with your speech, avoiding gossip, timeliness, and working diligently to the best of your ability will likely set you apart. When your coworkers question why you act differently, use the opportunity to tell them about the Savior. You serve the Lord, who is above all, including your employer (Colossians 3:23-24).

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance or self-control (Galatians 5:22-23a). Even strangers should notice these qualities in you.

5. Most importantly, pray without ceasing.

No matter the size of your “reach,” you can always pray. Pray for your spouse and your marriage. Pray for your children, both for their present and their future. Ask your friends how you can pray for them, and then do it. Pray for coworkers and neighbors. Pray for enemies and those who cause you trouble. Pray for the lost. Pray for missionaries and church planters. Pray for pastors and their families. Pray for your children’s teachers. Pray for wisdom. Just pray. Then pray some more. Even if you never know the results of your prayers this side of eternity, they always have an impact.

In Acts 1:8b, commonly called “The Great Commission,” Jesus instructed us to be a witness for Him “in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Even if your heart desires to go to the uttermost parts, be mindful of the Jerusalem around you.

Do everything in your power to share Jesus with those nearest to you. You might be surprised how much is within your arms’ reach!

About the Writer: Marianne Stewart has served as lead designer for ONE Magazine since 2018. She lives in Lebanon, Tennessee, with her husband Patrick and their sons John and James.