Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Although I would never say I'm ashamed of Jesus, sometimes the things I don't say or tell people about myself really show that I am ashamed.
For example, I used to babysit for a family with 4 young children and these kids could watch movies I can't watch.
When the mom would bring home newly rented movies to her very excited children, it would put me in an awkward position.
Instead of telling the mom of the family that, out of conviction to live a pure life, I didn't want to watch Twlight or Nights in Rodanthe, I would just avoid the subject and play games with the kids.
Now, looking back on it, I wish I would have said something.
I know they like and respect me, and it's an opportunity I missed to share my faith with them. I feel I probably could have had more influence. For example, I did share my family's beliefs on not dating and how I'm trusting my parents and God in that whole process. They were so very impressed and very interested. I really wish I hadn't held back in other areas.
Really, in a way, it's selfish not to share it all. It's me being more worried about how they might look and think of me, and that's not what I should be worried about.
Instead of looking for loop holes to escape these conversastions, I should've been more concerned about their salvation and eternal life, and I should have been looking for natural ways to bring it up.
I'm always saying how I love this family, but if I really did love and care for them, I should've taken every opportunity to share the gospel with them even if it was just through being willing to talk about the movies they watch that I won't watch.
It would definitely be worth it to me to have a five minute uncomfortable talk and maybe reach these people, and honor God in doing so?
In alot of my dad's sermons lately, he's made the point that if you don't feel awkward in this world sometime, at least, you've probably comformed to and really are apart of it.
My prayer for the new year is that I will not be ashamed of the gospel.
Can any of you think of ways you want to be more bold in sharing your faith in Jesus in the coming year?
If so I would love to hear!
If so I would love to hear!
13 Thoughts:
Karis, I am so proud of you for sharing this!! We all fail to be bold in telling others about our faith and about convictions we hold. No exuse though, right? I listened to a sermon yesterday about love. He said if we truly love someone we will share with them and not care what they think. Their salvation is so much more important than how we look. I was soooo convicted.I too have done the same things about movies my kids could not watch or things we don't let them do. I would just ignore it somehow. I will pray for your boldness sweet Karis, because I know you do love this family.
Joli
Good post Karis.
I think the way I could be bolder in sharing my faith is for me not to be so worried about what they might think of me. That's a stumbling block for me. I also need to remember that there is so much more to life than trying to get a good name for yourself, if you catch my meaning. :)
Love ya
AO
This was a really great post, Karis!!
What a wondeful New Year's resolution!
~ Love in Christ,
Lindsay
GREAT post, Karis! It really opened my eyes! I guess I should start wearing my faith on my sleeve more, eh? Its just sometimes I feel like the 'odd man out' BECAUSE I don't agree with what they say...
~Lauren
I have felt the same way many times! Especially when I'm given a compliment, I know I should direct it back to the Lord, but to a non-believer it just seems awkward. Thanks for the encouragement and challenge!
I'm with you Karis, I always feel like that sometimes. It's the things you don't say that matter. I am not much of a fan for Twilight either even though the books are well written. And yea, some movies out there are just awful. I am definetly going to try and stick to my devotions book in 2010...I can never seem to do that now.
Happy New Year! (almost)
Hey Karis, Great post! I need to work on that too! your so sweet Karis brown!
~Kimmi
Karis,
I have been in that same place way to many times. Thanks for sharing, I love the verse at the top. btw what do you think of dating? Cause we don't agree with dating.
Amanda
♪HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARIS!♪ OK, so happy birthday a day late ;)
Nana
great post!!! i have that same problem!! Ugh! I SOOO need to work on that!
~Abby
At least God's shown you this! He'll definitely give you more opportunities to share your faith with others (hopefully this particular family). I completely understand your struggle with being bold enough to talk about Jesus - whenever I hear my non-Christian friends talking about Christianity etc. I usually say nothing because I don't want to lose their friendship or sound as though I'm shoving it down their throats. Pretty silly, ey? Thanks for inspiring us to get over this!
By the way, I love your blog! I only just discovered it and I'm super impressed.
Well Karis,
Many times, I leave a conversation or come home from somewhere, and immediately start thinking of ways that I should have done it better. Share with those, of the hope that God has given me, how I am commited to purity etc.
Could I have used certain situations as a great opportunity to speak about what I believe?
Take it to the Lord in prayer. We can both simply pray and ask the Lord to use us as tools in His hand, and also ask Him for the strength to speak out!
God Bless,
Josh
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