The Other 50%

I read an article yesterday that stated “when it comes to art, the artist has only 50% of the responsibility. The person who engages with the art is responsible for the other 50%.”

The painter paints. The viewer views.
The author writes. The reader reads.
The musicians play. The listeners listen.

In each case, the artist is responsible for only 50% of the transaction. How the person engages the art is their decisions. And this is something that none of us can control. Some people respond positively. Others negatively. It’s their choice.

I think the same principle is applicable when we share the gospel. When we share our faith, part of the responsibility is ours and part of the responsibility rests with the recipients. This applies whether we are witnessing to one person or preaching to hundreds.

This reality should be liberating. As long as you are faithfully doing your part, you don’t have to feel the full weight of responsibility for the other person. Some people feel like it’s their fault if they have family members or friends who are lost. They want to have complete control of 100% of the transaction. But the truth is, we can’t. No person has complete control over how other people respond to the gospel.

It’s good to feel the weight of other people’s souls. But it’s bad to carry around the weight of their free will. That’s carrying their 50%. It can be frustrating. There are going to be times when you want more for the people you are sharing your faith with than they want for themselves. But still, you cannot have 100% control. You can only control what you do with your 50%.

Give them room to exercise their 50%.