Sometimes, I pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming when I start to think about what's happening around Calvary Ottawa. Last Tuesday, I didn't make it to 2pm in the afternoon and I had already heard of 4 different people sharing the good news of Jesus with 6 different people in 4 different places just that day.
And, then I got this email from Angela who isn't even one of the 4 I mentioned earlier. I asked her if I could post it here because I would want you to hear this story if we went for coffee. She just sent me a version that I could post. Be encouraged!
We talk a lot about being intentional to share about Christ with our friends but sometimes I find it hard to translate that into practice. I just wanted to take a few minutes to share a story about my evening last night in hopes that it might encourage you and inspire you to see new and creative ways that we can be intentional in being a light to our very lost generation.
As you probably know, I've gotten really involved on 2 swing dance teams this year which has given me the opportunity to build some deeper relationships with many people who do not know Christ. Last night we had our swing teams Christmas party and it was one of the first times I've really had to sit and talk with a lot of the teammates while not being interrupted to constantly dance. I was nervous about going to the party in the first place because I knew there would be a lot of drinking, but I covered it in prayer before I went and asked God to open doors for me to share Christ with my teammates.
A question I starting asking the people around me was "Aside from dance, what are you really passionate about?" I had one friend tell me about his passion for music and then pose the same question to me! As I thought through in my mind the things I am passionate about, it was a clear answer to me, and I was ready to bring up spiritual things - it was like jumping into the deep end of a pool!
"Actually, I am really passionate about my job, and more specifically, exploring spiritual things." My friend was surprised and intrigued by my answer, and invited me to explain more. "Well, when I was in university, I started exploring spiritual things, and I was absolutely transformed by what I discovered in a relationship with God." His eyes widened, but not in a condescending way... I saw respect, curiosity, and intrigue behind his expression. I shared with him about how my temporary highs when I was younger never fully satisfied my cravings for love, purpose, and acceptance. We were soon interrupted by a drunken distraction, but this friend now knows I am for real, and I plan to pursue this topic with him again.
I was also talking with another friend who asked about what I do, and I shared that I love being a spiritual resource to students on campus, and helping them find lasting satisfaction to their cravings through God. I was able to share part of my testimony. Friend #2 opened up about his own past and negative experience in the church, and the legalism and politics that turned him off. As I shared about my own experience, I painted a clear contrast for him the difference between the religion he observed growing up vs. a real relationship that I have in knowing God today. He was intrigued. So much so that when we were interrupted by someone, Friend #2 brought the topic up again later. I could see him mulling it around in his head and he admitted he was looking for some connection to spiritual things but was confused and unsure of what that looked like. He even asked about the church I go to and I plan to invite him out in the future.
As I looked around the room, people were getting smashed and talking about superficial things. I could see that the meaningful discussions I was having with some people was in sharp contrast to the content around the room, but I think my friends appreciated it!
I also got to talk to a female friend. As I asked investigative questions about her life, I could see her respect and trust in me was growing. As I talked more with her, asking about her aspirations, desire for a family, for children, for a career, etc. she opened up about her struggles with rejection. I could see in her a longing and craving for acceptance, and we are making plans to meet up one-on-one for coffee to talk more about her craving for acceptance hopefully this week. I am excited to hear more about her experience and share with her how God actually desires to meet that need in her life.
I wanted to share some of these stories with you because:
a) Please pray for me and my friends. Pray for more opportunities to share Christ in a meaningful way and to know which teammates are seeking God the most!
b) I had to go out of my comfort zone (a very drunken party!) to enter into the "comfort zone" of my friends, and these were some of the most meaningful conversations I have had with them. If we just stay where everything is moral and safe (ie: in church), we can't expect people who don't know Christ to come to us. I was amazed at how much more people were willing to listen to me when I had become "one-of-them". I took initiative to join their swing teams, to go to their party, and to be a part of their lives. There is relationship there, and they felt safe opening up to me.
c) "Becoming one-of-them" does not mean I participated in the drunkenness. I was able to abstain from the drunkeness and other inappropriate behaviour without making them feel condemned. I think that is key. If I was parading around the party like a self-righteous vigil-anti, my friends would have labelled me a bible thumper and not have been vulnerable with me. Some christians tell me I have to have at least one drink to show non-christians I am not judging them. However, I didn't have any alcohol, but I didn't see it bother a single person. When my friends offered me, I made a joke about it, and said things like "oh, no, I am walking home tonight!" and they laughed rather than feeling condemned. My biggest pet peeve is when a christian says "oh I don't drink because I'm Christian" - to a non-believer, all that communicates is a gospel of legalism and that christianity = following a list of rules. Instead, even though I personally don't drink, I always want to point my friends to a Gospel of grace, so I never link my reason for not drinking to a rule.
d) Sometimes we are afraid to bring up spiritual things or talk about our faith in Christ because it's taboo or people will not think its cool. I have to say, my experience was the opposite. I found my friends respected me more for being willing to go deep in a superficial world, and several of my friends looked up to me as "cool". The third friend I mentioned stayed by my side throughout the evening and told me that she envied my confidence and outgoingness. I took home 1st place in a (non-drinking) game, and danced up a swing dance storm. I felt valued and respected - even in the midst of many of them knowing I am passionate about God! Sharing about my relationship with God did not make me uncool or rejected, and if anything modeled for them a new notion of what it can look like to love and know God without being judgemental or condemning.
I had a really positive experience last night, and built a lot of relationships! I don't say all this to brag about how great I was, but as an opportunity to share my excitement in how God worked in my life when I was willing to step out in faith. I want to give all the glory to God!
I want to encourage you to do the same as well. What are some ways you could be intentional about building relationships with your non-Christian friends? What are some transitional questions you could ask to go deeper and potentially bring up spiritual things?Look for those opportunities or create them! Don't ever believe the lie that your friends don't want to think or talk about God... it's written all over their lives, and they just need help identifying that.
May God use us boldly to share His love with this deeply hurting world.
Your co-labourer in Christ,
Angela
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