Do they see us love one another?
As we walked down the wooded trail, this curious squirrel was keeping an eye on us. He was curious but didn’t fully trust us. He was wise to be careful because we might have been predators.
In the same way our furry friend was keeping a watchful eye on us, our friends, neighbors, and coworkers who aren’t believers are watching.
They might appear indifferent, or even overtly hostile, but they are watching. Is this faith thing real? Do we live it out? What happens when we stumble or bad things happen?
Sometimes, they are watching to make fun of us, but God can change the hardest of hearts. Sometimes, the hardest skeptic becomes the most enthusiastic of converts once the Lord gets a hold of them. The apostle Paul is an excellent example of that.
At other times, they might be curious but leery. At “the cowboy church,” we had a motto: “Don’t scare the sheep.” We were overtly and strongly Christian but strove intentionally to welcome everyone.
It takes time for hearts to soften. At “the cowboy church,” we ran ads in the local newspaper. Each ad featured a different picture and included a pithy or scripture quote. Over time, we learned that many people, including unbelievers, stopped to check out the ads each week, to see what we had to say.
It took most people about a year from the first time they saw the ads until they showed up for a service. Even then, they were watching to see if this was for real.
People need to hear the truth, but we need to be in a position to share it with them. As Christians, we need to strive to live the life Jesus calls us to and be transparent about our failures and His grace.
God doesn’t put watchers in our path as projects. They are there for us to love and bear witness to.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31
Allow them to see our love for God and for them. Let them see us love one anither. Show them His faithfulness even when we stumble.
The Spirit will witness to them through our lives. Let them watch.Show them how we love one another
Engage them in spiritual conversations when you can, but spend as much (or more) time listening as you do talking. Get to know them and learn where they are coming from.
Invite them to church when it seems appropriate. Don’t give up if they reject the offer, try again another time.
Be present, be yourself, and let the Spirit do His work.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed,
Kevin
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