“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NIV)
Across the miles of my life, I’ve recently learned that I need to slow down and make a detour. I’m sure I’ve turned people away from accepting Jesus into their heart and acknowledging Him as their Lord and Savior. Arguing about God’s Word has dulled their desire for salvation.
Over the years, I’ve wanted some of my family members and friends and co-workers to accept Jesus into their heart so badly that I became an unwelcome and unfriendly pest. I can look back now and realize that my pious manner was not Godly. As I learned more of God’s Word and desired the same for them, my boasting my knowledge over them hardened their heart, and perhaps, took a longer added curves for them to accept Christ.
Acts l:8, tells me that I am to be a witness for God’s Word. At this stage of my life, my type of witness needs a change. My anger when a loved one doesn’t accept God as their Savior when I think they should is not right and adds distance for them to have the change of heart needed.
God doesn’t pressure me, why do I pressure them?
I’m learning that I can still take advantage of every opportunity that comes my way; but, I need to plant the seed in love with a genuine and sincere heart; step back, and shower them in prayer. It may take months, even years for them to accept Jesus into their heart, but anger and pressure does not get the job done. I’M also learning that God exercises patience with me, and that’s how He expects me to act toward them.
Prayer changes things, and God’s love changes people. I pray for this change in me so the distance shortens and the curves are not so sharp.
© Carol Dee Meeks
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