ME?

Recently, a dear friend asked would I be interested in speaking at a seminar for new believers.  My initial reaction was, "Why would she be asking me when so many at the same table were more spiritually mature in my eyes?"  As she talked over the experience she was looking for, it was women who had careers and also were Followers of Christ.  She then dropped the BIG bomb, she and the other speaker who would be sharing the podium have longer Christian legacies from Giants of the Faith than a road map of a cross country interstate.  I'm talking GREAT families of Faith.


I come from a background of Average Joe, Church on Sunday's, Mid Line Methodists.  There was not much discussion of faith in the household I grew up in~we were too busy trying to survive.  It was more of a attend services, Sunday night youth group, and once a year church camp.  Kum Ba Yah was the style of worship songs we weakly sang.  We certainly read a few Bible verses (during church) and said a SHORT-but sweet prayer at the beginning and end of every get together, but there was NO fervent Hard Out running after Jesus.  


It is quite intimidating to think of standing shoulder to shoulder with those who have long lines of great faith.  They have heard more great teaching, read and memorized more scripture, and lifted more prayers than I have even tried to begin.  The Word was frequently discussed in their homes and their parents made certain they were taught the Truths.  WHOA--I would be over my head.  It would be reminiscent of the local high school football team playing the World Champion Pro team~NO CONTEST!

I began my journey to know God in a more intimate way as an adult.  As I thought this over, it dawned on me most of my knowledge of Who He is has come in the last three decades.  I am a Johnny Come Lately in the spiritual world.  One of the great truths I have learned is Biblical knowledge, spiritual service, nor checking off any of the boxes makes you a great person of faith.  A close and intimate relationship with Him is the mark of a great person of faith.  The only one who can measure the deepness of a relationship is the two who are in the relationship~God and me.

As I continued to think this over, it dawned on me, these are new believers--new seekers of truth--and they are looking for How do I do this?  What better way to teach them than for one who came to seek Him in mid life to tell their story?  If we look at those around us whose families have long spiritual roots, we can become intimated thinking we will never be able to match their stories.  We talked about St. Augustine in Sunday School this morning, one of the early truth teachers in Christianity, he was raised by an agnostic father and Christian mother.  He waded through plenty of philosophy before discovering truth as written by Paul and taught by Ambrose.  The truth of the matter is we all have someone who will listen to our words.  Each of us has someone who will be swayed by our influence.  Even Augustine, one of the great Fathers of the Faith was influenced by teachings of others.  God used others in His life to teach Him great truths.  Why it stands to reason, He can even use YOU and me!

I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of[b] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. "
John 17:9-11

5 comments

  1. I, too, had a lukewarm upbringing when it came to God, and Jesus was hardly ever mentioned except at Christmas. Yet God found me at the age of 30, and I've been hooked ever since! We all have our stories to tell, Lulu, and I think yours would be very meaningful to new believers. Take up the gauntlet, my friend!
    Blessings!

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    1. Our sphere of influence is of God's design, Martha. What if we do not speak up and miss the very one we were designed to influence? What a weight that would be!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  2. In one sentence: they made a great choice in choosing you. You've already written what to say in this post.

    Congratulations and God bless.

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    1. It is months away, Victor, and many doors must be opened for it to happen. I am following the lead of the Holy Spirit and praying for discernment!
      Blessings!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!