The resounding answer is "Yes." That's why the term Christian has a negative connotation attached to it in our culture. The world is watching, and a lot of the time they don't like what they see. The good news is, God moves despite our failed, flawed attempts.
I should be reflecting His light, but sometimes I wonder.
This week I had a tearful conversation with someone I've been friends with for about 5 years. I met her training for my claims job. When we did our second round of training in Los Angeles, we volunteered to be roommates since the hotel didn't have enough single suites.... trust me it was no sacrifice rooming with her in this huge hotel suite.
She is from Seattle, so a bit away but not too far from here. We got along great even though our lives and backgrounds were so different.
Later that year, I visited her in Seattle and got to meet her friends there, hang out and just talk a lot about life. I didn't realize at the time I was sharing my faith. God is just a key part of who I am, I guess He just comes out even when I don't think about it.
When I went home, I begged my Life Group to pray for her. So they did.
Fast-forward 4 years.... I see on facebook she is getting baptized. Next thing I know, this whole past year, she's going to church, talking about God, His Word.... She is now a Follower of Christ!
I recently wrote her to let her know how proud I was of all that she was walking in and how encouraging it was to see God working in her. She told me that being friends with me was part of that transition. She saw my faith and love for God and wanted it for herself. I cried. I bawled like a baby.
I don't say this to glorify myself. I'm sure there are people in this world who have a completely different view of God because I wasn't faithful in living for Him.
But, I say this in encouragement. I prayed for her in hope, but I guess like a lot of Christians, I wasn't sure if God would actually move. My faith was paltry at best.
God is faithful. He is so, so faithful. He loved her so much that He put her in my path because He was pursuing her. I was one of His many instruments to reach her heart.
Love people. Go love people. Tell them about what God's done to you, but they won't listen until we forget our pride and love them unconditionally. And, pray for them. Pray believing big things. At the time, I had no idea the outcome. I am so glad I got to see the fruit of God in me. I'm so glad I now have another friend who is living for God's kingdom!
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