For today's Titus 2 Tuesday, I'm featuring a lady who I really don't know. I've met her, and I recently took a short class from her at our church, and other than that and seeing her around our church, I don't really know her. But Thayer is a beautiful woman with a sweet Christian spirit I hope to radiate one day. Thayer taught a class titled Sharing Your Faith. I'm one of those who just knows that I know that I know the gospel, salvation, Jesus Christ's sacrifice of his life for me. I just know it. My parents taught me from as early as I can remember of God's amazing grace, and I just know it to be true.
So I tend to shy away from sharing my faith with others. I think it's a combination of my fear of rejection (I'm way too concerned wtih what others think of me), my tendency to shy away from confrontation, my inability to refer to scripture in a heartbeat, and honestly, my pride that prevent me from sharing the gospel when I could.
So I tend to shy away from sharing my faith with others. I think it's a combination of my fear of rejection (I'm way too concerned wtih what others think of me), my tendency to shy away from confrontation, my inability to refer to scripture in a heartbeat, and honestly, my pride that prevent me from sharing the gospel when I could.
Here's what Thayer taught me that I'll never forget. First, the gospel is a message from God to his rebellious people. I'm simply a tool for sharing that message. If one rejects the message, it's not me they're rejecting. Also, I cannot always determine a time of sharing to be a loss just because the person doesn't fall to their knees and confess Jesus as their Lord in front of me. It's really all about planting the seeds into others' hearts and lives and praying God will nurture that and grow that in them in His time.
Thayer made it so simple to me. God created us for his glory; however, we're sinful people, and sin separates us from God. God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to die for us. Jesus' death is the atonement of our sins. All of our sins. By accepting Jesus into your heart and life, you are again with God, seated at His right hand! It just don't get no betta than that!
So, I thank God for Thayer and for the vessel she allowed herself to be for God. I know she taught me a valuable lesson that Sunday afternoon.
If you'd like to participate in Titus 2 Tuesday, jump on over to Shanda's site for more info! I promise you, Shanda will bless you!
7 comments:
There is such beauty in simplicity. I enjoyed the way Thayer was able to communicate so clearly and simply such amazing and powerful truth in your life!
I often find myself praying for others who live far from us that God would send people into their path to plant seeds of truth in their lives; then it dawned on me one day that I could be that person to someone here that one of their loved ones had been praying for...
How sweet your words are to me.I to was shy about sharing the gospel and really still don't do it enough, but my job as a director or a pregnancy crisis center gives me many oppurtunities to share what God can do and that He makes no mistakes. Thank you for the post it made my soul swell and my heart full.
Lovely. Thayer sounds like a wonderful teacher.
Sometimes sharing my faith and loving others well (when I really don't want to) seems futile, but I try to remind myself (1) it doesn't matter if it appears fruitful to me--because I want to obey the Lord and He's asked us to do these things and (2) time and time again I see years later how the Lord has used my obedience for His glory and my good. That's one great thing about journaling; reading back through reminds me of answered prayers, etc. and God's faithfulness.
I loved reading this...you are so transparent (and we all share the same fear...rejection) - thank you for reminding me of this today! Have a blessed day!
That is EXACTLY what I thought when I read your 100 list...we would SO be friends if it wasn't for the distance...BUT that is what is so amazing about the blog world. What a blessing to add one more sister in Christ to my family...
I just wanted to say thanks for stopping by my blog and for the well wishes for my business! I really appreciate it!
I am the same way as you. I just grew up always believing. I recently rededicated my life to the Lord and now I find myself wanting to share Him with everyone. I guess I grew up so sheltered that I just didn't realize that so many people just don't believe or don't have any interested in thinking about God. I guess it just always seemed so logical to me that I never realized how hard it is for some people to believe. I hope that part of my purpose in life is to help show others the truth, although I have no idea how. I will just work on planting those seeds and hoping they grow!
That was a great lesson and I learned something just by your sharing it. Thank you. BTW, even through blogland, you emit such a sweet Christian spirit yourself.
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