Reimagine Transformation Through the Life of PaulSample

Faithfulness in Mixed Results

Have you ever felt discouraged when your efforts to share Christ didn’t produce the results you hoped for? Maybe a spiritual conversation seemed to fizzle out. Perhaps you’ve been consistently loving, praying, and sharing—and still haven’t seen a breakthrough. If that’s you, hear this clearly: God doesn’t measure success the way we do. To Him, success is you faithfully sharing the gospel.

Paul’s message at the Areopagus ended with mixed results. When he brought up the resurrection, some mocked him. Others were intrigued and said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” (Acts 17:32, NIV) And a few believed.

Given the audience—Athens’ intellectual elite—this could feel underwhelming. No sweeping revival. No record of a new church launch. No mass conversion. Just a handful of people who responded, while most remained skeptical or undecided.

And yet Luke includes this moment in Acts as a success. Why? Because Paul was faithful. He spoke the gospel clearly, boldly, and thoughtfully. He didn’t shy away from truth, and he didn’t force a response. He adjusted his approach without altering his message. He met people where they were—and then pointed them toward Jesus. The results? That was God’s business.

This is a vital reminder for us. We often define successful evangelism by visible responses: Did they pray the prayer? Come to church? Change their behavior? And while those things are wonderful when they happen, they’re not the only signs of impact.

Sometimes we’re planting seeds. Sometimes we’re watering seeds others have planted. And sometimes—by God’s grace—we get to witness the harvest. But in every case, the call is the same: Be faithful.

Paul’s experience in Athens shows us that every conversation matters—even when the results seem small. So, keep going. Your faithful presence, your thoughtful conversations, your winsome words about Jesus—they matter. Even if someone doesn’t respond immediately, they may be listening more closely than you realize. Your witness might be the nudge that moves them closer to Christ—even if someone else later reaps the harvest.

Remember, the same God who used Paul’s seemingly modest results in Athens is at work through you. Your job isn’t to convert people—it’s to represent Jesus well and trust Him with the rest. In the kingdom of God, faithful obedience is always a win, no matter what you can or can’t see.

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you usually define “success” when it comes to sharing your faith? What would it look like to measure faithfulness instead?
2. Who is someone you’ve shared your faith with who hasn’t responded yet? How does Paul’s story encourage you to keep praying and hoping for them?

Prayer:
Lord, help me be faithful in sharing You with others, trusting You with the results. Give me patience for the process. Remind me that You value my obedience even when I can’t see the impact. Amen.

As we finish part two of the Reimagine series, we pray Paul’s story has shown you that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. May his transformation inspire your own journey of becoming more like Christ. Join us for part three as we look at Peter and John and how their boldness shaped the early Church. And follow The Crossing on YouVersion to find more plans to grow your faith.