There's just something about a bouquet of flowers that makes you feel like royalty. But I question whether I'm living like one.
I will again be the Evangelism Team leader for next year. As the one who certainly (well, maybe not *certainly*) doesn't possess the gift of evangelism, I often have wondered/wonder if it is God's will for me. But given the prayers, encouragements, and the Word, I cannot deny that it is. The question I ask is, "How?"
How can I be an ambassador for Christ every moment? What do you do when you converse with one who is not a Christian and is seeking to establish more than just a friend-to-friend relationship with you? How do you tell them "no" without offending them or harming the Christian image? Why must it be so difficult as to speak truth in love? How can I be simultaneously discerning and kind to all people?
These are the questions I struggle with. The answer seems so evident; yet so difficult as to *make it* evident... Despite in knowing that spirituality is not meant to be abstract, I stumble.
He questioned me, "Why do you go to church with your friends if you go there to worship God?" Of course as a Christian, I answered that socializing or even fellowship is not the main reason for church-going. The principle is that we don't accompany our believers -- the very God we worship is the one who instigates that kind of joyous, harmonic accompaniment! We don't fellowship with other Christians because we "like" them for who they are or what they do. However, when the body gathers together to glorify God, that warm bond among the body naturally arises from our mutual respect and love for God. Then ultimately, an individual's relationship with God is what gives his/her relationship with others its true purpose and delight.
Of course, this is the idealized version. And it's convicting; for while I love being involved in fellowship, I often forget the main reason why I am singing. How funny an unbeliever should ask that in light of Aaron Shust's song that I've been paying attention to recently. I miss praising God for who He is with a childlike heart. As a child, it was so much easier to focus on Him than anything else. And it's saddening too, because what the world sees is church's failure to extend that love outwards. We must neither fall into the water nor come out of the water, but swim. "But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." - 1 Timothy 1:5
The reason we're here and the reason we sing,
Is to thank *You*, oh God, and give praise to the King.
We lift up our hands and we lift up our minds,
And we pray that all we do would bring glory to You.
Let such words truly resonate from our hearts today. So that we may bring forth the fruits of our life-long evangelism, which is in turn, His Glory.
Because of Christ and the Grace that He is,
Dream
Not try to say that I've figured it all our or anything (because I definitely haven't), but I don't think that it is as impossible as it might seem.
ReplyDeleteWhen interacting with non-Christians who claim to be Christians or simply good people, you should use your discernment to try to tell whether they are what they say they are. If they aren't, you should love them all the same: don't judge their actions since they are just as depraved as you or I (outside of the grace of God), simply desire their salvation.
Regarding the "seeking a relationship" problem, I honestly think that one has a pretty good solution. God is the most important thing in your life, far more important than any boyfriend or husband would ever be (slap me upside the head if I ever say anything different), so one who is not a Christian simply wouldn't be compatible. Now people are often pretty irrational in these matters and I guess some may be offended, but in that case they'll be offended by any rejection no matter how kind.
But maybe I'm wrong. I've never been in that situation. :-P (In the past it's always been me attracted to the wrong girls. >_> <_<)
(Yikes this is long... the end is near don't worry.)
Just one more thing to add about friends at church. You're definitely right about relationships (whatever the type) being led by God, but I think it's important to mention why. We build each other up in sharing how God works in our lives, praying for each other, teaching each other, and (lovingly) pointing out the areas where we need improvement. It's a beautiful arrangement!
I can say that I heartily agree with all you've written; I guess I posed all the questions and didn't bother to answer them, huh? :) I do that when I am frustrated emotionally; not thinking about the logical answers and just complaining about it, lol.
ReplyDelete"If they aren't, you should love them all the same: don't judge their actions since they are just as depraved as you or I (outside of the grace of God), simply desire their salvation."
Amen and amen and amen. Great post!