"he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said…"

John 1:42

Andrew's job ended the moment Peter stood in Jesus' presence. His responsibility was to facilitate the introduction, not control the conversation that followed. The instant Jesus began speaking to Peter, Andrew stepped back and let the Master take over the transformation process. Andrew understood that his role was to build the bridge, not to become the destination where people were supposed to stay forever.

Many believers struggle to let go after making spiritual introductions. They bring someone to church but feel responsible for their entire spiritual journey. They connect a friend to a small group but worry constantly about whether the person is growing fast enough. They introduce a coworker to their pastor but feel like failures if the person doesn't immediately commit to Christ. They forget that their job is facilitation, not transformation, and they exhaust themselves trying to do work that only Jesus can accomplish.

Relay runners know exactly when to pass the baton to the next teammate. They sprint their portion of the race with maximum effort, but when they reach the handoff zone, they focus completely on making a clean transfer. The runner doesn't try to carry the baton for the entire race or worry about whether their teammate will run fast enough. Their success is measured by completing their segment and making a smooth handoff, not by controlling what happens in the next leg of the race.

Jesus' immediate response to Peter shows what happens when faithful bridge-makers complete their assignment. The moment Andrew brought Peter into Christ's presence, Jesus took over with supernatural insight and prophetic vision. Jesus saw not just who Peter was but who he would become, speaking identity and destiny into his life. This divine encounter happened because Andrew faithfully completed his part, then trusted Jesus to handle the rest of the process without interference or manipulation.

Your responsibility is to bring people into environments where they can encounter Jesus personally. Through worship services where they experience His presence in music and prayer. Through Scripture where they meet Him in His Word. Through Christian community where they see His love demonstrated. Through serving opportunities where they discover His heart for others. Your job is creating these connection points, not forcing people to respond in specific ways or timelines that make you comfortable.

Godseekers, stop trying to control people's spiritual journeys after you've made the introduction to Christ. Your anxious hovering doesn't help anyone grow faster in their relationship with Jesus. Your constant checking doesn't make people more committed to church attendance. Your worried questioning doesn't strengthen anyone's faith. Make the connection, pray faithfully, stay available for questions, but trust Jesus to do the transforming work that only He can accomplish. He's been changing hearts long before you arrived and will continue long after you're gone.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help me understand the difference between my role and Your role in people's spiritual journeys. Give me faithfulness to complete my part of bringing people into Your presence through worship, community, and Scripture. But also give me wisdom to step back and let You take over the transformation process without my interference. Remove my need to control how fast people grow or how they respond to encounters with You. Help me trust that when I faithfully make connections, You will handle the heart work that only You can do. Teach me to hand off people's spiritual journeys to You with confidence, knowing that You love them more than I ever could. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Personal Reflection

• What people in your life are you trying to control spiritually instead of trusting Jesus to transform them?

• How can you make clean "handoffs to heaven" while still remaining available for support and encouragement?

Step of Faith

Today, I will intentionally step back from trying to control someone's spiritual progress and instead pray for Jesus to work in their heart according to His timing and methods.