For me to become a Christian, I really didn't have any big hurdles to jump. I was raised in a Christian home. I grew up regularly attending a church. I went to church camps. I was familiar with the buildings, the language and the general practice of Christian life. Hubs and I have both significantly grown in our personal relationships with Christ since we married, and we're raising our 3 children in a Christ centred house. But it is only recently that I have been really comfortable talking about the things God is doing in my life.
As I was growing up, I spoke with many people in various stages of their walk with Christ. Some decided not to continue on that path. Others inspired me. You know that feeling you get when you know you've just met a Christian even though the topic didn't come up? The people who just radiate with peace. Or the person who not only sees the cup as half full, but also can't help but tell you about how God was involved in something.
As I left the park after the kids had a play date recently, it struck me. I've become the latter of those two people. I couldn't help but tell them about how God had bought us to this town. How Hubs feels called into ministry and I feel called to study so that I can have a supporting role in his ministry. How when I pray about these things I keep being challenged to think outside of my comfort zone (an easy days drive to our parents) and when I start to pull back I get a very clear message 'It's not about your comfort.' It’s exciting to be so in touch with God!
It's easy easier to be open with people who you think will be happy to hear what you say. God has been working on my resistance to sharing with non-believers too. Recently I've been given two friends to encourage. Previously I would fumble and stumble my way out of the conversation with some flippant comment which probably would leave the other person wondering what could possibly be appealing about being a Christian. I was lukewarm when it came to sharing my faith. Jesus doesn't like lukewarm faith. I prayed about this. Over many years. Many prayers were said, asking God to help me be a better witness to his Kingdom.
The big change in me occurred when I realised that I was caring way too much about what people thought of me, and not enough about what Jesus thought of me. I was too worried about offending people and the possibility that they wouldn't like me anymore. I was still a little girl in the playground trying to gather up and keep friends. It wasn't until I took a good long look at the life of Jesus that I realised that I had it the wrong way around. Sounds simple now! Jesus wasn't worried about offending people, his popularity or his comfort. He was worried about YOU! With that in mind, it's become a lot easier for me to step out of my comfort zone and care a lot more about the eternal life of people I meet. I'm still no Billy Graham/Joyce Meyer/Insert great speaker here! I'm not sure that God wants me to be like them. I just know that He's making changes in me.
If you feel like you've been sharing a lukewarm faith and would like to change that, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, pray specifically and expectantly. Ask God to help you change the things that need changing. It may be a distorted perspective, like mine. You may feel like you just don't have the words. Or you have the words, but a stutter stops you getting them out. God can work out anything that needs work. Secondly, ask others to pray with or for you. The prayers of others can be very powerful, and God listens to all prayers. And thirdly, ask God to give you opportunities to share your faith. Once you take the step of actively asking for opportunities, you will find yourself seeking them. Don't beat yourself up if you let one go, or if it didn't go as well as you'd hoped. Just add it to your prayers and keep going.
If you have any questions or if you would like me to pray for you, I'd love you to contact me, either in the comments, or via the Contact Us page.
As I was growing up, I spoke with many people in various stages of their walk with Christ. Some decided not to continue on that path. Others inspired me. You know that feeling you get when you know you've just met a Christian even though the topic didn't come up? The people who just radiate with peace. Or the person who not only sees the cup as half full, but also can't help but tell you about how God was involved in something.
As I left the park after the kids had a play date recently, it struck me. I've become the latter of those two people. I couldn't help but tell them about how God had bought us to this town. How Hubs feels called into ministry and I feel called to study so that I can have a supporting role in his ministry. How when I pray about these things I keep being challenged to think outside of my comfort zone (an easy days drive to our parents) and when I start to pull back I get a very clear message 'It's not about your comfort.' It’s exciting to be so in touch with God!
It's easy easier to be open with people who you think will be happy to hear what you say. God has been working on my resistance to sharing with non-believers too. Recently I've been given two friends to encourage. Previously I would fumble and stumble my way out of the conversation with some flippant comment which probably would leave the other person wondering what could possibly be appealing about being a Christian. I was lukewarm when it came to sharing my faith. Jesus doesn't like lukewarm faith. I prayed about this. Over many years. Many prayers were said, asking God to help me be a better witness to his Kingdom.
The big change in me occurred when I realised that I was caring way too much about what people thought of me, and not enough about what Jesus thought of me. I was too worried about offending people and the possibility that they wouldn't like me anymore. I was still a little girl in the playground trying to gather up and keep friends. It wasn't until I took a good long look at the life of Jesus that I realised that I had it the wrong way around. Sounds simple now! Jesus wasn't worried about offending people, his popularity or his comfort. He was worried about YOU! With that in mind, it's become a lot easier for me to step out of my comfort zone and care a lot more about the eternal life of people I meet. I'm still no Billy Graham/Joyce Meyer/Insert great speaker here! I'm not sure that God wants me to be like them. I just know that He's making changes in me.
If you feel like you've been sharing a lukewarm faith and would like to change that, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, pray specifically and expectantly. Ask God to help you change the things that need changing. It may be a distorted perspective, like mine. You may feel like you just don't have the words. Or you have the words, but a stutter stops you getting them out. God can work out anything that needs work. Secondly, ask others to pray with or for you. The prayers of others can be very powerful, and God listens to all prayers. And thirdly, ask God to give you opportunities to share your faith. Once you take the step of actively asking for opportunities, you will find yourself seeking them. Don't beat yourself up if you let one go, or if it didn't go as well as you'd hoped. Just add it to your prayers and keep going.
If you have any questions or if you would like me to pray for you, I'd love you to contact me, either in the comments, or via the Contact Us page.
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