I was interacting with someone online the other day who had responded to a post I had shared about introverts. Which I very much am. I responded with something talking about God and my faith in Him and a few minutes later she responded that she was an atheist. I wrote back some things and then after a bit she finally said, whew, I was expecting an argument. I have heard similar responses from others who are atheists also and it just makes me wonder and shake my head.
I honestly hope I don't make people angry about this, but I don't think that most Christians respond rightly to this. They either get offended and angry as this young woman had dealt with before or they run away, afraid they can't offer up an answer. Fight or flight.
First of all, I am not a scientist. I am also not a great theologian. I cannot tell you in eloquent terms why I believe that only an intelligent Creator could have made all of the magnificent things that I see around me. The elegance of the design of the universe. The sheer beauty of all that was made. The intricacies of our bodies and how they function. And yes even the sheer whimsy of some of God's creations.
I can tell you what I DO believe though. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that there is a God who created all of this, who created me and you. And who not just created it all, but beyond all of His creations, He loves US with an everlasting love and proof of that is that His Son gave His life that we might know Him and have eternal life.
I know what He has done in my life. He changed me. I was basically an alcoholic by the age of 19, a child of alcoholics. Used whatever drugs were put in front of me. Was a victim of molestation. Because of all that I gave myself to anyone who would have me just so that I would feel loved and valued. Funny how that didn't work out so well. I had an abortion by the time I was thirteen. I was broken. I was lost in a world of sin, adrift from anything worthy. I had truly never felt loved or needed or worth anything. I was hurt and angry and drinking my life away.
And then I met Him. Through His mercy He sent me a man who would introduce me to Jesus, who became my Lord and Saviour. My relationship with Jesus changed me. There is no 12 step program that can cause you to stop drinking and doing drugs overnight. There is no self help book that can make you realize you are loved and cherished and valuable just by opening it. There is no program that can make you see that people are not here just to hurt and use you, but are also just sometimes used and hurt themselves. But that is exactly what happened to me. There is nobody who can take that experience away from me. There is no one who can tell me that I am not different because of Him and Him alone.
Also no one can take away the fact that I was healed from fibromyalgia. Sick and weak and in pain one day, totally healed the next. So, yes I do believe there is a God and He loves me. Nothing can change that.
But you see, I can share that with someone, but it is their choice to listen and believe or not. I don't have to fear anything from them, they cannot steal my faith. I won't run because I am afraid I cannot defend what I believe. Truthfully I don't think that is my job. It is also not my job to argue with anyone. Really, you think thumping someone over the head with a bible will bring them any closer to a relationship with God? If that was so, believe me I have an antique heirloom bible at least 6" thick that should do the job then.
I believe that we are both the best witness and the worst witness there is for God. It depends on how we represent Him. I always used to tell my kids that we are an ambassador for Jesus. How we live and what we show others is the greatest indicator of who He is to others. My God loves people. So much that He gave His Son to die for our sins that we would have fellowship and relationship with Him. My God loves me and cherishes me, sometimes chastens me, but that is part of love too. He has given me great gifts. Salvation, a family that loves me, hopefully this gift of writing that I try faithfully to share. He desires good for me. But that means that I will do my best to represent Him faithfully. That does not include berating people. Does not mean I have the right to belittle others. I cannot humiliate or embarrass someone into seeing the truth. I am to be a lover of the truth, not a fighter.
I know many may not agree with this. I am sorry, but when I look at the scripture, even Jesus knew when to let go. In John 6 Jesus feeds the 5,000. He walks on water. He speaks to His disciples saying that He is the only way to the Father. Many of the disciples start to grumble over this hard truth. In verses 66 and 67 He says this, "From that time on, many of His disciples turned back and no longer accompanied Him. So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?”
Jesus didn't go find the Torah and whack them over the head with it. He did not get into a fist fight demanding that they stay. He did not cajole and wheedle them into turning back to Him. He let them go; and these were disciples, not unbelievers. Each person has his own decision to make. Jesus knew that and knew that no amount of debating, disputing or contending would change their minds. He let them go in peace. Knowing I think something that we often forget. The Spirit of God is always at work. He is the one who draws men to the Father. He speaks quietly into their spirits and whispers of God's love for them.
We are to exhibit God to others. We are to exemplify who He is to a lost world. The scripture does not say, Cram it down their throats, it says "Taste and see that the Lord is good". Be such a sweet taste of God to others that they want to know what it is you have. Show them love and kindness, respect. Show them that the God you serve is a loving God, not an angry petty one. Engage, not enrage. Be yourself, warts and all.
Quietly answer the best you can, and then leave the rest in God's very capable hands.
It's not a matter of fight or flight, it is a matter of knowing what you believe and standing your ground; peacefully, respectfully, lovingly.
I honestly hope I don't make people angry about this, but I don't think that most Christians respond rightly to this. They either get offended and angry as this young woman had dealt with before or they run away, afraid they can't offer up an answer. Fight or flight.
First of all, I am not a scientist. I am also not a great theologian. I cannot tell you in eloquent terms why I believe that only an intelligent Creator could have made all of the magnificent things that I see around me. The elegance of the design of the universe. The sheer beauty of all that was made. The intricacies of our bodies and how they function. And yes even the sheer whimsy of some of God's creations.
I can tell you what I DO believe though. I believe without a shadow of a doubt that there is a God who created all of this, who created me and you. And who not just created it all, but beyond all of His creations, He loves US with an everlasting love and proof of that is that His Son gave His life that we might know Him and have eternal life.
I know what He has done in my life. He changed me. I was basically an alcoholic by the age of 19, a child of alcoholics. Used whatever drugs were put in front of me. Was a victim of molestation. Because of all that I gave myself to anyone who would have me just so that I would feel loved and valued. Funny how that didn't work out so well. I had an abortion by the time I was thirteen. I was broken. I was lost in a world of sin, adrift from anything worthy. I had truly never felt loved or needed or worth anything. I was hurt and angry and drinking my life away.
And then I met Him. Through His mercy He sent me a man who would introduce me to Jesus, who became my Lord and Saviour. My relationship with Jesus changed me. There is no 12 step program that can cause you to stop drinking and doing drugs overnight. There is no self help book that can make you realize you are loved and cherished and valuable just by opening it. There is no program that can make you see that people are not here just to hurt and use you, but are also just sometimes used and hurt themselves. But that is exactly what happened to me. There is nobody who can take that experience away from me. There is no one who can tell me that I am not different because of Him and Him alone.
Also no one can take away the fact that I was healed from fibromyalgia. Sick and weak and in pain one day, totally healed the next. So, yes I do believe there is a God and He loves me. Nothing can change that.
But you see, I can share that with someone, but it is their choice to listen and believe or not. I don't have to fear anything from them, they cannot steal my faith. I won't run because I am afraid I cannot defend what I believe. Truthfully I don't think that is my job. It is also not my job to argue with anyone. Really, you think thumping someone over the head with a bible will bring them any closer to a relationship with God? If that was so, believe me I have an antique heirloom bible at least 6" thick that should do the job then.
I believe that we are both the best witness and the worst witness there is for God. It depends on how we represent Him. I always used to tell my kids that we are an ambassador for Jesus. How we live and what we show others is the greatest indicator of who He is to others. My God loves people. So much that He gave His Son to die for our sins that we would have fellowship and relationship with Him. My God loves me and cherishes me, sometimes chastens me, but that is part of love too. He has given me great gifts. Salvation, a family that loves me, hopefully this gift of writing that I try faithfully to share. He desires good for me. But that means that I will do my best to represent Him faithfully. That does not include berating people. Does not mean I have the right to belittle others. I cannot humiliate or embarrass someone into seeing the truth. I am to be a lover of the truth, not a fighter.
I know many may not agree with this. I am sorry, but when I look at the scripture, even Jesus knew when to let go. In John 6 Jesus feeds the 5,000. He walks on water. He speaks to His disciples saying that He is the only way to the Father. Many of the disciples start to grumble over this hard truth. In verses 66 and 67 He says this, "From that time on, many of His disciples turned back and no longer accompanied Him. So Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you want to leave too?”
Jesus didn't go find the Torah and whack them over the head with it. He did not get into a fist fight demanding that they stay. He did not cajole and wheedle them into turning back to Him. He let them go; and these were disciples, not unbelievers. Each person has his own decision to make. Jesus knew that and knew that no amount of debating, disputing or contending would change their minds. He let them go in peace. Knowing I think something that we often forget. The Spirit of God is always at work. He is the one who draws men to the Father. He speaks quietly into their spirits and whispers of God's love for them.
We are to exhibit God to others. We are to exemplify who He is to a lost world. The scripture does not say, Cram it down their throats, it says "Taste and see that the Lord is good". Be such a sweet taste of God to others that they want to know what it is you have. Show them love and kindness, respect. Show them that the God you serve is a loving God, not an angry petty one. Engage, not enrage. Be yourself, warts and all.
Quietly answer the best you can, and then leave the rest in God's very capable hands.
It's not a matter of fight or flight, it is a matter of knowing what you believe and standing your ground; peacefully, respectfully, lovingly.