I have written this post twice already and deleted it twice...I just don't know how to put it in a way that doesn't come across offensive or judgmental. But, here is the shortened version (and I'm sorry if you are offended or feel I'm being judgmental. That is definitely not where I am trying to come from):
How do you show God's love to someone that is just not interested in it?
I was never around a lot of non-believers growing up...besides family members. I was definitely not ignorant, and I definitely was not raised in a bubble. My parents taught us to love God and to love other people...and that is how we lived our lives. It was not culture shock for this homeschooled girl to attend jr. college. I'd heard cussing before, I'd been around people that smoked, and I knew not everyone was just like me. Yet, the one thing I definitely was not exposed to was the opportunity to really share my faith with someone else. Another believer? Absolutely. But, not someone who didn't believe.
Maybe that is why it is hard for me to love someone who hears the truth, makes fun of it, and makes fun of me for believing the things I do.
Maybe that's why I feel like I'm being persecuted in a place that is supposed to be "safe".
Maybe that's why I'm having a hard time understanding why someone would be like this.
The only answer I keep coming back to is that I have to keep loving people like this. I have to keep sharing the truth with them...in the hopes that maybe it will plant a seed that will grow much later. I have to keep strong in my faith...and continue to study the Word, so I have the right words to speak when someone comes at me with something that attacks what I believe in.
On a lighter note, I'm looking for some new books to read. Any suggestions?
Have a wonderful weekend!
(I'm linking up with Casey)
9 comments:
I love you heart on this subject. I think your heart is honest and pure. We just finished going through Jonah with a group of friends and Jonah in a sense felt the same way we feel at times....like people are wicked sinners that do not deserve to have the gospel shared with them....but God loves them so much just as He loves us wicked sinners that He shows mercy and grace....I think you are doing the right thing just continue to love even though it's hard and God will redeem the situation....everything you do for Him will not be done in vain, even if it feels like it has been done in vain.
Thanks for sharing this!
www.myriahmae.blogspot.com
It's easy to feel singled out and isolated for what we believe, isn't it? Hang in there!!
Show God's love by building a relationship with that person. When the time is right it will be time to share. It may be tomorrow, it may be years from now. As for a book, I'm reading The Help and love it.
this is why i am so torn about sending my oldest off to school...so much exposure ~ it scares me. :( may you be lifted up for the wonderful believer you are. :) ~d. xo
read a beautiful offering, it changed my life...love u :)
I think you've got your answer already. Keep on loving and praying, that's the best thing you can do! I am going through a situation right now very similar to yours (at least I think so)--a new family member (by marriage) pokes fun at my family's faith every chance he gets. And we are just trying our best to keep on loving him for who he is. It's hard sometimes, but we know that God can work miracles. :0) hang in there!
You are right. Continue to love. It's what we are called to do, it's what makes us different. xoxo
Thanks for sharing your heart! Keep loving and letting Him love you. Think about the people that Jesus spent His time with. I like to read the gospels sometime and just be reminded of how he treated people.
Wow Breeann, I am coming to your blog for the first time to thank you for commenting on my verbal abuse post. But when I read this I realized we had the same thing on our heart lately. I just posted a post the other day about this same topic. I also was home schooled for 1,3,4 and then eventually went to public school. It sounds like you went all the way! I'm sure you have an amazing mom I'm guessing! :)
Post a Comment