A woman in ViaCordis recently brought a concern to her coach (everyone in ViaCordis has a coach). She has been developing friendships with several of her neighbors in her apartment building. She has been engaging them in conversation in the hallways, inviting them in for coffee, has been present in their lives and allowed them to be present in hers. People have been surprised: no one in our building invites us in for coffee! She senses a loneliness and isolation, and this is her way of being a redemptive presence in the lives of those around her.
Yet this woman shared with her coach, “I feel like there needs to be more. This isn’t concrete enough. I’m not making disciples. I’m just showing kindness and hospitality.” She has shared the gospel in bits and pieces, but that has not been met with much receptivity. One woman in her building is a Muslim, and the woman from ViaCordis went over to her place when she accidentally locked herself out of the apartment. The Muslim woman invited her in, served coffee, and said, “You know what, I trust you more than I trust my own people.” This is a woman who wants nothing to do with Christianity, yet the sincerity with which a Christian has approached her has meant a lot.
Her coach said, “You don’t need to be doing anything more concrete other than being there and continuing to be in relationship with her and others. You sticking with her will speak more loudly into her life than anything you could share theologically. You’re being obedient, you’re listening to God, God is opening doors. Just continue to give and see where that leads you. Other people’s receptivity is not up to you. What’s up to you is how you love and serve others.”
Too often in western Christianity, we often devise our own systems of righteousness. We feel the need to intentionally invite someone to a Bible study when they’ve expressed no interest. Or we feel the need to press for spiritual conversation where there is no openness. When we meet the requirements of our own system, we feel good about ourselves, and climb our own ladders. Yet it doesn’t further the kingdom, and often sets it back. We don’t need to go down that road of setting up our own system of righteousness. We just need to be faithful, look for naturally-occurring opportunities to share Jesus, and let God be God.
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2 comments:
I would like to know what this looks like when someone you have shared God with and there has been a mutual sharing in the word; however you have caused them pain, and it seems that they are no longer receptive to sharing the word with you or communicating about the Gospel. Where before you would receive the helpful devotional from them and forward passages to them as well. And now, there is no response.
I want to be careful not to be on my own agenda. I am sure I want God's will for my life! Thank you
Hey Idris. It sounds like there might be some other relational issues going on that need to be addressed before a mutual sharing in the Word resumes. Since we are holistic beings, our emotional connections with others will often influence our spiritual connections with them, and vice versa. So perhaps there is an issue - be it emotional, psychological, or even physical - that needs to be addressed before the spiritual connections are healed. Hope that helps!
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