don't touch the stove....
don't touch the stove....
“Don’t touch the stove!”
If you are the parent, or have been the parent of, a toddler, you know the world is full of dangerous things. For instance, with each of the kids, we have had to warn them not to touch the hot stove. This is especially dangerous when they are old enough to walk and reach, but not tall enough to see the danger of where they put their hands. Some of the kids you could just firmly say “don’t touch!”, but others, we may have had to swat in the butt so they didn’t put their hand into a flame. Both are done out of love, but the approach is different depending on the kid. The truth doesn’t change, touch a hot stove WILL burn you, but the delivery can change.
Our culture is a lot like that these days. We are criticized, badgered, and condemned, for sharing the Truth. But can we expect anything different? Jesus’ approach was to come to the individual, or group, and share His message of the Father’s hope, but He also affirmed the Truth in there. He showed love and compassion, but He never shied away from the Truth. The woman at the well is a great example. He knew what she needed, not the water to quench her thirst, but the Living Water to quench her soul’s thirst. He delivered that message, but also told her that she needed to change her ways. Love, hope and the Truth.
Jesus also told us that the world would hate us because it hated Him. It is expected, be prepared, but don’t shy away from delivering it. In this Christmas season, we have a great opportunity to interact with a multitude of people that tolerate the message one time a year. We can deliver His message with the same approach and attitude. We can demonstrate love, compassion, and Truth. We do not have to endorse their sin. We do not have to endorse their lifestyle. But we do have to show love and compassion. We must also be willing to stand on the Truth.
In the end, it is not our responsibility for their decisions. It is our responsibility though, to show the love of Christ and to share the Good News. This is the best time of the year to do that. Invite your friends, neighbors, of one of the 67% of unchurched in Calhoun County to Christmas Eve. A great time to introduce them to who He is and the Living Water He provides to His people.