Over-enthusiasm...

There comes this point in your faith journey where you feel as if you've crossed over; suddenly you realize that your faith is strong, you love God, and you want everyone to be as committed and perfect in faith as you somehow have convinced yourself that you are. STOP! YOU ARE NOT PERFECT! and YOU CANNOT FORCE SOMEONE TO LOVE GOD AS MUCH AS OR IN THE SAME WAY THAT YOU DO! Sorry for the caps people but this is a major point, and one that I had completely missed recently as I struggled with a friend's response to their prayers being answered. I found myself consumed with anger that they didn't show appreciation or adoration in the way that surely I would have. And that frustration actually threatened to put a wedge between us - what a hypocrite I would have been! I was so over-enthusiastic in my desire to change her life and her relationship with God that I completely forgot about the long, painful journey I myself had to make just to get where I am now. And I'm still journeying! So I prayed for forgiveness and decided to write this as a sort of apology to her even though I'm not so sure she even knew why I was upset.

I'm sorry.

It is so easy to cross from counselor to tyrant. It only take a few words to go from advising to controlling. As Christians, we need to make sure that we are encouraging those who seek, and not condescending. I can't look down my nose at someone who is trying to be a better person when I myself came to Jesus with an incredible burden of guilt and remorse. Brothers and sisters, there are very few who were saved by someone screaming hellfire and damnation at them while professing perfection in themselves. Yet millions have been brought to (or back to, for that matter) Christ through positive intervention and edification based in the same love that Jesus showed those who doubted and denied Him. If you are seeking to enrich the Kingdom, and you crave souls for your King, then make sure your words are a reflection of God's love and truth. Do not condemn, for condemnation and conviction are God's territory. Provide true counsel, but do so with sensitivity and compassion. Above all, do not attempt to win a non-believer by slapping them in the back of the head with the Holy Word and holding their head under holy water until they are forced to breathe it in. God does not desire coerced hearts, rather he desires those heart freely given. Soft words, positive encouragement, and love - let these be your mantra as you go about spreading the Good News!

It is truly humbling to know that I still stumble along this journey. Humbling, but inspiring because each time God gently (sometimes NOT so gently)picks me up, dusts me off, and reminds me that He is King and I am one of his beloved little ones.

Let us pray:
Father, sometimes we get so excited about your promises and your word that we try to beat our loved ones over the head with it. This is not what you want from us. You ask us to spread your unfailing love as counselors, not coercers. You want our actions and words to cause others to say "I want what she has!" To do this, we must remain humble and compassionate, ever aware of our human imperfections and ever-willing to forgive the same in others. Father, help us to focus our enthusiasm in a joyful way. Help us share the news of your only son's sacrifice to the ends of the earth; not looking down at seekers, but instead lifting them up to you. Please Lord, grant us the wisdom to do all this in the name of our savior, Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. Amen.