August 9, 2004

It's been a week since my last blog entry. I guess I'm a slacker.

God has been really speaking to me about my personal need to be more potent salt, and higher wattage light to lost people. I have had conversations this week with others about the topic as it relates to them and our church, and have learned quite a bit about myself in the process. Then yesterday's service happened.

It was baby dedication Sunday and five babies were being dedicated. As a result we had quite a number of "visitors" with us including some unsaved spouses and relatives that were attending for the special occasion. One of those individuals I have been praying for and interacting with for a couple years now (off and on). He is not a Christian, and does not believe in God. He is a very "nice" guy. I was praying that he would attend, but not stand up with his wife until he truly knew what it meant to experience salvation through Jesus. That's exactly what happened.

I know that there were a number of others just like him there as well.

Here's what's interesting though. I, personally, had a hard time worshiping and listening to God speak BECAUSE of the presence of these individuals. I was trying to do what I could to welcome them before and after service. I was very self conscious about my own body language during the worship through music time, and several times found myself pondering, "what's going through their head right now?".

Should I care what they think? Should I NOT care what they think? Is it proper to create a church setting that makes unsaved people "comfortable" and "non-threatened"? If we ignore those issues, does that mean we will be ineffective witnesses that are missing opportunities to be salt and light? If I'm thinking about them, will I miss what God is trying to teach me? The message was on the topic of "Judging Others". I definately have been guilty of that lately. How do we speak the truth boldly without alienating people before the Holy Spirit has a chance to soften their hearts? I know that most of the work of evangelism is truly "living the life" in front of them, as opposed to delivering the perfect sermon. Am I missing something else though?

For the three people that might read this post.....help me out here. Please.


D-Fresh
(ressurected nick-name from long, long ago- thanks Deurty)