This is going to be an unusual post for me where I just waffle on and let my mind wander along a path of thought. So often I fear that I write what I think people want to read rather than what I’d like to write, especially if I’d really like to let rip and have a flippin’ good rant rather than sweet talk my way through the days events. Anyhow……
I’m freshly returned from week six of my Catholic conversion course and as always it was very inspiring. We always end up having a really interesting discussion that may or may not stay on topic but is always to do with faith/religion. Tonight the main talk was about Confirmation [one of the seven sacraments available to Catholics] and the guy on the DVD giving the talk was talking about the fruits or spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit and how, even once they’ve been given by the Holy Spirit, it is still down to us to activate them in order to make full use of them in our [religious] lives. One of the things he said that touched a few hearts in our group was that it was no good just living the Christian faith [life] if you weren’t able to pass it on verbally as well, and vice versa – not terribly appropriate to preach the word to someone and then go and beat up your granny [apologies to all grannies reading but you get my drift]. Words + Actions = Evangelism, neither one is of much use without the other and it’s what we’re all, as Christians, called to do [scary face needed just here].
Now, I for one used to have huge issues with evangelism until I did a course at my local Anglican church during Lent of this year when we examined our spiritual gifts. Each one of us had a massive list of questions to answer and three other lists of the same questions to hand to people who knew us well [friends or family] to complete. The results were then collated and analysed and the upshot was that Evangelism came out as my number one spiritual gift by a mile – scary stuff, and I spent a good few days in denial thinking the results must have been skewed!!! For those who are curious the other three were Administration, Encouragement and Faith – all very predictable to be honest especially Faith.
When I actually picked the questionaires apart to see what answers had been given that contributed to this result I realised that it’s my ability to communicate with people on all levels that produced such an outcome. A spiritual gift that I certainly hadn’t activated. This brings me back to this evening when some people expressed a reticence or inability to evangelise to others. They didn’t feel able to freely discuss their faith with people who didn’t share their religious views unless asked outright about it. I have to say that I certainly couldn’t evangelise on a Cold Turkey basis either – I don’t think it would be of much use nor very well received. Sometimes I think though that there are other ways to verbally share our faith and pass on the Good News, by offering to pray for a friend in trouble or need, by talking about our church experiences, by sharing the blessings that our faith has given us without blatantly getting in people’s faces religiously speaking, nor by giving them a guilt trip that can only result in a defensive response.
We pondered as to whether people could spot a Christian if placed side by side with a truly good person of no professed faith. Fr James said that Christians just seem to have a certain something different about them. An inner light??.
Our lives, for the most part, are [should be??] lived as a testimoney to our faith – well, on the good days anyway. We live as signposts for Christ and hopefully the love and blessings that He bestows on us shine from our souls like that ‘inner light’. I’ve certainly seen that light shining from many of the nuns that I have met in the last three years or so. They all emit that ‘certain something’ and it is almost tangible.
So, if we’re living the life of a true Christian, if we’re walking in the shadow of God’s love and teaching, if we’re sticking as closely as we can to the right path in the sure and certain knowledge that our Saviour is walking along side us then surely we’re going to evangelise to those whose lives we touch without even knowing it aren’t we?? I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time to cast off any embarrassment about my faith and be proud to be a handmaid of the Lord Jesus. I’ve certainly stumbled along the way and sin is never very far off but my aim is make the gap between sin and repentance as small as possible and to turn back to God for forgiveness in the sure and certain knowledge that He loves me as I am. Why wouldn’t He?? He made me didn’t He, therefore I am no surprise to Him??!! And if I can bring a few people along with me for the rest of this beautiful journey then that’s brilliant. I know for sure that there are very few people who meet me or know me that aren’t aware of my faith even if I don’t mention it – I’ve no idea how that happens but God does and He gives me the tools and words I need when my courage fails me. All I have to do is love Him and the rest just happens!!
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Pax
“I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time to cast off any embarrassment about my faith and be proud to be a handmaid of the Lord Jesus. ”
How very encouraging this post is, thank you! 🙂
I too have done one of those spiritual gifts tests (although not for some time) and my mainstrength was sheperding, which kinda fits with who I am too ~ they can be very useful.
God bless you as you go into action 🙂
AR xx
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Dear AR – ahh must be my ‘encouragement’ spiritual gift at work then ;).
I was actually really cross with the outcome of that spiritual gift test. lol I took all the sheets home in a right fizz and examined all the questions and how it was marked just to prove that it was wrong lol. The minister taking the course was very gentle with me and proved to me that if God gave me such an obvious [not to me it wasn’t] gift then he’d also show me how to use it and give me the tools to put that into practice. Funny how much we struggle against the obvious isn’t it??
Shepherding – I shall look that one up in the book in a min but it does fit you well especially with the Forum etc. Does that mean we can now call you Bo Peep rather than Blog Stalker?? Not sure that a poke bonnet is quite you tho .
with love
Sharon xx
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Hi Sharon, I am a new reader of your blog and you wrote a really good and thoughtful post. I used to feel a bit embarrassed about getting the word of Christ out — but … something really struck me.
I came to God after being inspired by the Christian ACTIONS of a really faithful person. I saw such a light shining in that person and wanted to know more… I didn’t know it was Jesus that I was seeing, but shortly after in conversations Christ was brought up and not pushed upon me at all. I have learned that you can evangelise through action as well as words just as effectively.
St. Francis said, “Preach the gospel frequently and use words where necessary.”
We don’t have to get in to people’s faces nor do we need to judge them. First thing we can do is pray for someone who doesn’t have God in their lives. I often talk to people about things I have been up to, church-related — prayer group, friend situations, etc that all involve God — people will either respond or not. If they respond, (and usually they do) they ask what faith I am, am I devout… and sometimes it spawns questions about The Church and often they want to share their own stories and or experiences — that’s when you have the foot in to set them straight, to dissolve the lies they know about God and encourage them with kind words and constant Praises to God.
Just recently I told a secular girl that I know about attending an anti-abortion protest. I was a bit worried about how she might react, but she asked a million questions and started telling me about her family background with the Catholic Church. After 2 hrs she admitted to me I had made her start thinking about God again. Two days ago she emailed me saying she had put a crucifix on……… And now all I can do is keep communicating and encouraging her and praying!!!
Keep praying each day for the courage to speak about Him more confidently with less fear… it really does help! Take those gifts and run with them like crazy!
God bless you =)
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Dear JLT
Thank you so much for your comment. I’m glad [and always slightly surprised] that my blog ‘reaches’ people. God uses strange media to ‘speak’ to people and the NET is no exception. How wonderful that you have brought people to Christ with such simple, gentle discussion – I’m sure often times we’re not even aware of some of the things that we do that touch people as I suspect they don’t always come back to tell us. Who knows what seeds we sow with just a kind word or a smile!!??
Every blessing to you JLT – do come back and visit again sometime.
with love
S xx
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Hey Sharon,
You’re absolutely right! When I was a devout athiest (:P) some guy said to me, “God Bless you!” and it hit me for six… For days and days I felt winded by it whenever I thought about it — and little did I know at the time that was God’s first way at knocking on the door to my heart….
We can make gestures or actions or even words without even knowing that God is behind them. Each day we should pray for the guidance of The Holy Spirit to honor God through our words, actions, and loving heart — each time I open my mouth I hope to use words that Jesus Christ would never have to shake his head at me with sorrow for… It’s a struggle but with prayer comes the ease to advance further in God’s special graces.
🙂
Jess
P.S I love your blog and have added you to my blog roll! 🙂
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Hi Jess
Thanks for that xx!! Could you let me have your blog address too so I can return the compliment??
I know just what you meant when with “I hope to use words that Jesus Christ would never have to shake his head at me with sorrow for”. Been there, said that and it is a struggle when you’re feeling angry or frustrated about something!! As I read somewhere and quoted last week, “God, keep your arm over my shoulder and your hand over my mouth” :o).
Take good care xx
Sharon xx
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Haha, yeah God needs to keep his hand over my mouth a lot of the time… but I really do try my best.
It’s weird that my blog doesnt automatically link! oh well, it’s http://seektoreveal.wordpress.com 🙂
Have a great day!
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