This Sunday we had a guest speaker. I really look forward to hearing him when he is able to make the trip. Different voices can spur me to action. Different perspectives can convict me in new areas. I download sermons and speeches to my IPod so I, at least, have the option to learn when waiting on my car or in a doctor’s office. Sometimes, I just play Bedazzled.
The topic this Sunday was loving those who do not have a relationship with Jesus.
You will notice that I do not blog every day. Yesterday, I had every intention of blogging but my day took a different turn. I accompanied a relative of mine to an annual series of testing. My job is to accompany, listen, remember, write down, schedule, wait and drive. Glamorous...no, a privilege..yes.
I was able to spend the rest of the day with my family, and had a scrumptious dinner at the restaurant where we had our rehearsal dinner. It was a wonderful, abnormal day.
It seems that I have more abnormal days than normal, anymore. This wasn’t always the case, but I am learning to take the day as it is prepared for me. I pray about it, so it must be right.
The more that I embrace the abnormal schedule, as opposed to the predictable schedule, I have more experiences with people who do not have a relationship with Jesus. I see this trend growing in my life.
As a blogger, I interact with other women of faith, which thrills me; but, as a believer, I am called to live the commission to which we have all been appointed. Jesus commissioned us face-to-face, and I still believe in the power of human contact when doing ministry.
If I am to be completely honest, I pray for these opportunities to be used by God, yet, when it involves loving strangers I find that I am a little shy to complete them. Love can cross this timid line which makes me second guess extending my love to the unknown. It is a place that I need to grow in understanding and in truth.
Perhaps, I misunderstand how to love a stranger.
This Sunday, one simple point in the sermon cleared so much up for me. I learned the right way to fish for men. These fishermen that Jesus spoke to were fishing with a net. When you fish with a net, you catch all kinds of stuff. Our job is not to sort the fish, but to love. We let the angels do the dirty work of the sorting. We just love on everything in that net.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind; when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous...” - Matthew 13:47-49, NRSV
Simple?
Not for me.
This Sunday I learned that to love...
I need to intentionally place myself amongst those who do not know Jesus.
I need to act lovingly by speaking the name of Jesus to those who do not know Him.
I need to forget about sorting and just love.
This changes so much for me.
Does it change anything for you?
wow ... this post is staring me in the face and I'm trying my hardest not to make eye contact ... you know what I mean?? I really struggle in this area too! It's so much easier to surround myself with God loving and honoring people. But Christ calls us to LOVE ALL - and to be His witnesses to the lost. Thank you so much for the challenging post!
ReplyDeleteWow. This hits home. I am very shy. Very introverted so talking with a stranger gives me the shakes.
ReplyDeleteThis got me...
Our job is not to sort the fish, but to love.
And the part about being intentional.
I need to hear this...to get shaken out of my comfort zone. To remember what He has called us to do. I am going to start praying for more opportunities.
What clears it up best for me is, "Our job is not to sort the fish, but to love."
ReplyDeleteWe tend to sort by judging...without even realising it.
It's a hard thing to do, but there's no question Jesus call us to share Him with others. Sometimes it's tempting to put myself in a safe bubble where I only interact with other Christians on a regular basis, but I know that's not what He wants for me.
ReplyDeleteFor me the hardest thing is to not let the world overwhelm me when I'm trying to share my faith. Probably a sign of how weak I am, but I find all too often worldly views of others making their way into my beliefs instead of the other way around!
But must agree with everyone about that awesome quote. The love of Jesus is definitely unique and when you are able to share it with others, people are affected by it!