Sometimes sharing your faith with them is a matter of helping them understand their circumstances in light of God’s plans and desires for their life. If you can connect the two points, a relationship with God makes much more sense.
Recently I received this email from an Internet friend through my devotional ministry (http://www.mustardseedministry.com). My friend knows how to share her faith, but the situation appears so desperate it has her in quandary of where to begin. (I have changed the names and deleted a few details to protect identities, but the crux of the story is the same.)
Dear Ron,
I need some advice. I have a friend who has a daughter who lives about 600 mi. away from her, but she is involved in drugs. My friend (Joan) and her husband are in the process of adopting her three grandsons (all under the age of 8 year old) due to the daughter’s inability to care for them. Joan doesn’t have a relationship with the Lord. I have a feeling that she has some tough feelings right now. I really want to bring her to the Lord, but I’m at a loss for some reason right now. She is in so much pain and she misses her daughter so much. I need ideas on how to share and communicate God’s love to Joan. Thanks so much.
Patricia
Dear Patricia
It will take boldness on your part Patricia, but the fact that God has placed her on your heart so strongly is probably God’s invitation for you to share your faith with her, so I would encourage you to act on it, as scary as it might be. Scripture is clear that when we speak on His behalf He gives us words to say.
I would probably approach Joan in terms of a relationship. She loves her daughter in spite of the fact that she is addicted to drugs. She loves those three grandsons. Joan’s heart hurts for her daughter and she would like nothing more than a renewed relationship with her, but the drugs are in the way. They are “separated” 400 miles by distance, but even farther because of the impact. the drugs have on her life. It’s sad, which is why you are concerned for her.
Now take Joan’s situation and put it into context of her relationship with God. God feels the same way about Joan. He loves her. He wants a relationship with her, but Joan’s sins have separated her from a relationship with God. If she will only believe in Christ’s saving grace she can have the relationship with God she needs; now more than ever.
God bless you as you introduce your friend to Christ.
Ron
If God stirs your heart concerning someone near you who is absent of a relationship with Him, be bold and willing to share your faith. Put it into terms of a relationship, then trust God to give you the right words to say.
