Scott and I had the opportunity to go back to our roots, California, to attend and be a part of the wedding of a friend of mine who is dear to my heart. We were able to see some family in our brief visit which was wonderful. We also had the privilege of meeting new people, like the guy who kept asking Scott if this was "his song" every time the DJ at the wedding played a hip-hop tune. On Thursday night, I got to meet a really engaging guy at the rehearsal dinner. He is one of those people that you want to get to know more than a brief conversation at dinner. He was funny and kind and endearing. He has a ton of brothers so we were able to connect with the boy-talk laughing about the antics of living in a house filled with boys. I walked away feeling encouraged and thankful that I randomly sat next to him. He was just a really cool person.
Our conversation got me to thinking. This guy does not live the ideal Christian life-style that we like to confine ourselves to. In fact, he would probably offend a lot of Christians. However, there was such a genuineness about him that I wanted to hear and learn more. I wanted to listen to his story. We are so quick to compartmentalized people into our culture, our lifestyle, and our beliefs that we lose the opportunity and blessing to love. We want others to mold into our belief system before we even introduce ourselves. We are too quick to judge and turn our backs on really awesome people blinding us from the opportunity to show Jesus just by listening.
Look, I wasn't out to change this guy's faith or even get him to go to church. I just enjoyed getting to know a really cool guy who was created and loved by our God regardless of what his life looked like in that moment. I realized that night that there is so much more power in walking alongside than throwing religious vernacular in their face. I think many are fearful of walking alongside those who live and believe differently. What if they change me? They do "bad" things. They dishonor "MY" God. God is for everyone. Every single person. And if you and I aren't going to walk besides those who don't know Him yet leaning in with love and a listening ear, then who is going to take our place? This doesn't mean that there isn't accountability or that we enter into a lifestyle of sin in order to be a friend. Instead, this is a starting place to show the love of Christ through relationship.
There is nothing scary about loving someone who believes differently than you. There is nothing to fear walking alongside someone whose lifestyle makes you uncomfortable. God has your back and will walk before you in that relationship. All He asks of us is that we love and, when the opportunity arises, share Him through the story He gave you.
Man, I wish I could go back and listen to that man talk some more. He was loving and kind. He didn't care where I came from or what religion I practiced. All the things we are called to be, he was. May I walk alongside in love letting the Gospel preach through my actions more than my words.
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Love & Blessings,
Meg
Our conversation got me to thinking. This guy does not live the ideal Christian life-style that we like to confine ourselves to. In fact, he would probably offend a lot of Christians. However, there was such a genuineness about him that I wanted to hear and learn more. I wanted to listen to his story. We are so quick to compartmentalized people into our culture, our lifestyle, and our beliefs that we lose the opportunity and blessing to love. We want others to mold into our belief system before we even introduce ourselves. We are too quick to judge and turn our backs on really awesome people blinding us from the opportunity to show Jesus just by listening.
Look, I wasn't out to change this guy's faith or even get him to go to church. I just enjoyed getting to know a really cool guy who was created and loved by our God regardless of what his life looked like in that moment. I realized that night that there is so much more power in walking alongside than throwing religious vernacular in their face. I think many are fearful of walking alongside those who live and believe differently. What if they change me? They do "bad" things. They dishonor "MY" God. God is for everyone. Every single person. And if you and I aren't going to walk besides those who don't know Him yet leaning in with love and a listening ear, then who is going to take our place? This doesn't mean that there isn't accountability or that we enter into a lifestyle of sin in order to be a friend. Instead, this is a starting place to show the love of Christ through relationship.
There is nothing scary about loving someone who believes differently than you. There is nothing to fear walking alongside someone whose lifestyle makes you uncomfortable. God has your back and will walk before you in that relationship. All He asks of us is that we love and, when the opportunity arises, share Him through the story He gave you.
Man, I wish I could go back and listen to that man talk some more. He was loving and kind. He didn't care where I came from or what religion I practiced. All the things we are called to be, he was. May I walk alongside in love letting the Gospel preach through my actions more than my words.
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Love & Blessings,
Meg
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