This is a testimony of how I got saved but also the Lord laid it on my heart to share how we can all reach out to someone who seems to be so drifted in their own world. May it also speak to those Christians who feel they are drifted from the lord, no longer in church because of whatever reason, sin, judgement by others or judging others, pain, loss, stress can all keep us away from worshipping or reaching out to others. God did not call us out to choose whom to reach out to.
Even the neighbour who never answers when you greet them, even the one who is offended by the name Jesus will one day have an open heart. Then,there's that friend who may have brutally hurt you. It is us, the Christian's who must allow God to deal with us to forgive and refrain from judgement. We know better by the blood shed. Without forgiving those who hurt or offended us, we can't talk to them about Christ. Even the one who mocked you when you became a Christian, after all Jesus was mocked. being mocked as a Christian, it was so painful but Id rather hold onto that pain coming from mockery as a Christian than the pain of the world.
John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.I recall, the lady who led me to Christ never gave up, phone call after call, visit after visit, rebuke after rebuke. This lady was so patient and persistent, she almost got on my stubborn side - those years!.
The thing is I was petrified of this saying, "give your life to Christ". Yes, I was told I was proud too!. She never minced her words. I was NOT a drinker, smoker but was looking for love in the wrong places and people. I was far too open with my life and people always divulged my trust in them so, I lost trust in people.Trying to justify my acceptance by having a relationship with wrong people. This caused led to more pain and rejection. But she sat me down and looked at the word of God with me - telling me who Jesus was. I was catholic raised did not know Jesus personally.Today, Iam forever grateful to her.
Then, I just did not see how giving up my life to Christ would remove any emotional pain but could sense looking in the bible that, there was something to get hungry about in God's word. Just entering university,I gave many excuses under the sun, I have a lot of work, cant travel to bible class,but they offered to pick me to take me to church and back. I was left with no excuses. Till one day I gave my life to Christ.
Years later, life happened and once again, I needed to be renewed and restored in my relationship with christ they - different christians invited me to church several times, this time the reach out was harder for them or so it seemed but they weren't dealing with it by flesh. They prayed for me till I was melted by the love of Christ again. This time I believe Jesus reached out to me in my very own home as I listened to gospel music.
So the seed sown prayers were all working within me even though I did not realise. This will be the case when we reach out to people. They may not see the seed but its working within them.Now, I see them with testimonies all the time and big hugs. Renewed and restored in his word, he shall strengthen us. Even the one that left the place of worship or no longer worships anywhere still needs reaching out. Lets not be the reason someone left the house of God. Today, if you are talking to someone about Christ, the mockery, doubt's, shame, even fear you have aren't of God and one day your reach out will be their story and testimony.
The Christians who reached out to me were not judgemental but their characters drew me. At this time,I would also say character is everything when reaching out to people.
Lets not give up reaching out to that person/people who come your way that God lays on your heart.They shall come thanking you and all the honour and glory will be the Lord's.
Since then, Ive seen more family members give their lives to Christ some by reason of how my life has changed and God's miracles in my life.Then, all things will have passed away and they will be born again.
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