Matthew 28:19, 20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Okay, so do I love people? Yes. Do I accept them unconditionally? Honestly, I'm working on that. ( I struggle with certain things that unfortunately have to do with my nose not lifestyles.This is bad, I know. Lord help me not be bothered by bad breath and body odor.) Do I want people to know the loving God that I know? Yes. So what is stopping me?
Time for all out honesty here. I am afraid that if I say something, people will one, not like me anymore, (that's to say if they did anyway). Two, what if I offend them? Three, what if they like to argue and are better at presenting their reasons to not know Jesus than I am at presenting the ones why I do?
Alright, so I have read books on getting over insecurity. I know God has called me to minister to women. I even know that the biggest part of that ministry is to share the Good News. The very reason I am forgiven and covered with grace and mercy. I know that He will give me the words, I have scriptures written and listed everywhere, I am committing them to memory so I have them ready, but still I remain quiet with the people who don't believe. It is a whole different story when I am speaking with someone who already believes in Jesus and has Him in their heart. I can talk all day to those people.
I could blame it on the rules of society. Let us all be politically correct and not offend anyone. It isn't professional, etc. Blah Blah Blah! I'm just going to say it. I AM A CHICKEN! Jesus came to heal the sick, not the ones who are already healed. He told parables about and talked with the very people He knew would tick off the people in authority.
My pastor asked a question this past Sunday that hit me right in the middle of the forehead. Are we (am I) making disciples? My answer? No, I'm not. I have been trying to build up the ones who know but need encouragement. Now, that isn't wrong. We all need encouragement and prayer from our fellow believers and friends. At times that is what gets me through, knowing that someone is agreeing with me, however, there are still people who don't know they can have someone to rely on at all times, even when they feel that no human could understand.
So Pastor, here is my answer to your question. No I am not making disciples...YET! I am asking God at this very moment to prick my heart and I am asking His Spirit within me to push my boundaries down and to not let me rest until I share the good news. I am asking Him to point people out to me who need Him.
Who's with me?
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