(Written for The Round Farmhouse Ministries and published on April 2, 2024)
"𝙄𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩. 𝙄𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙬𝙣. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙩; 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪.” John 15:18-19 GNT
As my faith and my love for God has increased over the years, I have shared more and more on social media. After all, as believers, we are called to evangelize His Word. However, I have noticed recently that I haven't heard from friends who typically were in close contact; receiving in fact, one outright rejection stating our lives are "on different paths". These are friends of several decades, sister-friends, not just new acquaintances and I am wondering if this really isn't just a coincidence.
I share my faith because it makes me happy, it gives me hope, it provides a life guide; a "user manual" or "GPS" to keep me grounded and focused through my earthly journey.
So, my real question then is, what's changed?
Lately, I have read a number of books discussing the struggles we Christians face on a daily basis living in the midst of non-believers. Trust me when I say, not a single day goes by when my mind isn’t filled with turmoil and worry about how I conduct myself in response to everyday life and swiftly evolving world views. Sadly, attitudes have become self-centered and aggressive to any who have differing opinions. It has become acceptable to mock and ridicule others who don't align with "the world". We are facing a seemingly invisible persecution, and as Paul Estabrooks puts it in his book Living Like a Lamb Among 21st Century Wolves, "...persecution is like an advanced stage of cancer; it eats away at you, yet you cannot feel it."
So, I take comfort in my faith and draw strength from spending time with the Lord. I trust Him to help me navigate the "wide paths" in search of that narrow one.
I find it ironic that I was born and raised in the church so, I’ve always been known as the Christian I am. However, I am learning to be courageous and understand how my faith affects every relationship in my life. And even more, how God's plan will shift those relationships for His purpose. To those who may be hesitant, afraid, or intimidated, to those whose beliefs do not align with mine, to those who may feel offended or threatened, I am still me. In fact, I would hope that because of my deep faith, I am an even better version of the me you already know. Nothing would give me more pleasure than helping those friends find the strength, reassurance, and direction that a strong faith in God will bring and I pray that they may one day experience a transformative "road to Damascus" encounter of their own.
🐾💗🐾
Father God,
As we journey through our earthly lives, You are our Heavenly "tour guide", leading us to live as Your children. I pray Lord, that as we travel along our own unique paths, we look to You for directions, never fearing the uncharted territory into which You lead us. And, as we encounter various friends, old and new, along the way, remind us that each season will be filled with just the right ones. You know our needs for each fork in our road of life and provide us the friendships and support just right for those times. We thank you Lord, that no matter who here on earth does or doesn't choose us, love us, or stick with us throughout our journey, Your love is ultimately the only fuel we need to keep us moving.
In the Name of Jesus Christ Our Lord we pray,
Amen
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