Grow by Sharing
When was the last time you shared your faith? Do you talk with people who have similar beliefs? Do you ever share your beliefs with others who don’t necessarily think or believe as you do?
Many people are afraid to discuss spiritual things with others. They may fear conflict or being misunderstood, or being perceived as religious or judgmental. So, they keep their faith to themselves, not realizing that their silence costs both their listeners and themselves spiritually.
Fear of possible opposition causes many to “play it safe” with their topics of conversation and language in a self-protective manner. This kind of fearful response quenches and extinguishes faith. Succumbing to fear shuts down active faith.
The apostle Paul made it clear that our faith grows through sharing and discussing the things of God’s Kingdom. He wrote to his protégé, Timothy, “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.” (Philemon 6) Often, understanding comes through the interaction, searching and creative tension of conversation. When we are active in our faith, God is active in and through us.
Sometimes we think that we must wait on God; and that when we do He will clearly show up and do things – and then we can enter in to what He’s doing. Things are rarely this clear-cut. Usually God provides opportunities and/or light, spontaneous ideas upon which He wants us to act. It is in this kind of action that God’s power and magnified understanding appears. It is when we share our faith in word and deed that the power and revelation of God is made manifest – rarely when we sit and hope that He will do something.
You don’t have to be overbearing or obnoxious when you speak of spiritual things. Nor do you need to be patronizing or condescending. Simply be yourself – ask real questions and share your perceptions and real answers. When you don’t know answers, admit it and look for the answers. When you have questions, ask them. This is really not that hard, just scary to get started sometimes.
Discussing the spiritual aspects of life is hugely important for people of all ages and cultures. The undercurrent and foundations of life are spiritual. Don’t be silent. Simply share what you have seen and heard in the spiritual realm. (1 John 1:3) You will grow, as will those who enter into the dialog.
Sharing with you,
Pastor Tom
tgriffith@rolcboston.org
