Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.

When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!”

Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there. 1 Kings 18:38-40

In a crowd of people there will always be the skeptics, cynics, and the doubters. All will be in various stages of skepticism, cynicis, and doubt. We don’t always know what will put them “over the top.” Obviously, Elijah calling down fire on the altar got their attention, especially after Elikjah had doused the altar and the trench with loads of water. Seeing the prophets of Baal and Asherah must have jarred their senses.

You never know where people are in their journey through life. It’s easy to judge based on behaviors and the things people say. It’s easy to “pigeonhole” someone because of what they say and do, but God may very well be working on them. God may be on the verge of moving incredibly in their lives. And He may want to use you to do it!

Be kind; be gentle. Don’t criticize until you’ve walked a mile or two in their shoes. After all, we’d want them to do the same for us, wouldn’t we?