“For all of creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.” (Romans 8:19)
Friend: “I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins. I think there is something I should do now. Maybe we’ll come to church with you”
Me: “Theoretically, if you really believe that Jesus died for your sins you are in.”
Friend: “I think I should get baptized now”
Me: “I would love to be there for that.”
Friend: “There has gotta be something I am supposed to do. It can’t be as easy as just saying Jesus saved me.”
Me: “I know it sounds too easy but as long as you believe you are saved”
This is a demonstration of me trying to reconstruct a conversation I had yesterday. There was, obviously, much more in there but I tried to capture the main idea. The person I was talking to had such a hard time capturing the idea that nothing else was required of him for salvation except to believe in Jesus. He was talking about living a better life, afraid he was just covering his butt because he truly believes the end of the world could come at any moment, and, although I know he was more than likely baptized when he was a baby (Catholic family) he really wants to be baptized again. I tried to keep the conversation light. I am always worried about sounding cheesy, which I shouldn’t (God forgive me).
I have a confession. I do not believe I am good at leading people to Jesus. I always envisioned my ministry focusing on people who already know Jesus and sharing with them how I see God in my everyday life. I have too many fears and pride because I am fearful of that when I tell someone Jesus simply wants everyone’s love and to have a close and intimate relationship with them that they won’t understand and they will be turned away from faith altogether. See, I am worried that in my excitement and passion for Jesus I look like a freak to the world. It’s so much easier when people already know about Jesus. It’s an easier foundation to build on.
If this is something God is going to have me do I won’t fight it. Actually, I am excited for my friend because I have wanted this for so long. I will simply pray that God will place the right words in my mouth and that I can find a balance between patience and excitement…not any easy thing to do! So, please pray for my friend, pray for me, and pray for the world because any day now you could be where I am and God put you there so don’t think it was an accident.
“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what god wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit pray for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father knows all hearts and knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:26-28)
I think you are giving yourself too hard a time. You have done wonders for me and I’m sure many people will say the same. Besides if it isn’t your calling to bring people to Christ, that’s ok – as long as you are doing whatever your calling is (I know, rich coming from me) and glorifying God in everything else, then what more can anyone ask of you?
Comment by Suzanne — March 26, 2009 @ 12:13 pm |