Love thy Neighbor

I was driving home last night listening to KLove and the DJ asked a question for listeners to call in and respond to.  The question was...if given the opportunity to talk to your neighbor about God...would you and what would you say?

Good question.  Would we? 

Well...each morning I get up and try to talk to you all and to God about the things that happen in my life.  I try to relate to Him...and I try to show others His love in my actions.  It doesn't always come out like I would like.  Sometimes His love is masked by my anger...resentment...regret...ill intentions...the list goes on and on.  But I try.  If given the chance, I try to share His love with the ones that I love.  I need to get better at sharing His love with those I don't even know. 

We are very fortunate to live in a small town and live in a neighborhood with lots of our friends.  And I feel like most of those who know me...know my love for Christ.  But there are people in this neighborhood that I don't know.  I wouldn't say I am super comfortable talking face to face with people about Christ. More than it making me uncomfortable...I feel like I am making others uncomfortable...which in turn makes me uncomfortable.  Sometimes I struggle when people are in a bad spot...to verbally share how He is involved and how He is looking out for their best interest.  I am not sure why...other than I feel as though they might come back with something negative about the God I love so much.  I am extremely good at loving Him...I am not always good with verbally defending Him.  Why He does what He does is a mystery to me.  But I have faith and I believe.  That is not always a good rebuttal in an argument on whether or not He is present in hard times though. 

I do feel as if people are becoming more and more open to listening though.  With the Christian radio stations and more contemporary worship...people aren't fighting the idea of church so much.  And it is becoming more and more common to hear people discussing their faith...over their religion.  Growing up it seemed to be about religion.  I may be crazy...but it seems like people are finding their faith through many different aspects.  Church, radio, TV, Internet...etc.  The opportunities to learn about Him are out there in many ways...outside the church walls.  Which leads me to this...

We should tell our neighbors.  We should tell our friends.  We should tell our loved ones.  We should tell everyone about His love.  We should be able to talk about Him openly and know that when the argument comes up...He'll give us the right words.  He is in control.  When God wants someone to know Him...he'll allow us to be the tool he uses to reach those around us.  We are extensions of His body...and if we are open to the thought of sharing His love...he'll make it possible.  Of course there will be skeptics.  Of course there will be people who misunderstand our intentions...but there will also be people who are open to the idea of knowing Him and who desperately need Him. 

I had to laugh at one of the suggestions though...one of the radio listeners called in and suggested taking cookies over and striking up a conversation about something that might be brought up in a church service.  For anyone who knows about my baking skills...or lack there of...I had to laugh.  Don't worry neighbor folks....I'll buy my cookies from Dillons.  I won't come to you with a burnt invitation to know Christ.  I promise.

Have a Blessed Day!
Amy