Notes from this week's podcast: Go On With God
There are people who really want your passion; they want your zeal; they want to know God the way you are pursuing God; they want to see God in a more dynamic way.
Ask yourself:
(a) Am I aligned with the Word? (b) Is there peace in my heart? (c) Is my passion for God from the heart of God and not my own agenda or selfish ambition?
* Remember Esther - She set her heart on pleasing the King. (To please means that the countenance of your face reflects your heart.)
When you encounter opposition...
1. Do not take offense. When you get offended, you respond in the wrong way. The proper response is to forgive them. Ask God for the grace to forgive them.
2. Be real. Be honest how God is maturing you in your faith. Speak in love and humility. The challenges you are walking through are making you better.
3. Give testimony. Love others. People who are hurt or wounded really need for someone to love them. This is a testimony of what God is doing in your heart -- not holding a grudge or unforgiveness. Walk out the commands of God.
4. Befriend your opposition. Get to know the people who speak doubt about you. Listen to their heart and concerns. Then you can speak with compassion. (Is there any truth in what they are saying?) Learn about their journey.
* Some people only want so much of God and then enjoy worldly pleasures. But God will bring them along. You keep living your zeal, your life, your commitment to God.
* Some people have so much of God and want to stop others from wanting more. They usually have been stopped some way themselves. You can pray about their roadblock -- that God would remove it and they would love Him deeper.
5. Ask them to join you. Expose them to the learning environment that you are engaged in -- a Sunday school class, event, prayer group. (It's not just a religion you're showing up for.)
6. Love them. Be kind. Be humble. Be patient. God may be working in their life. God may be using you to transform them.
7. Keep moving forward and pray that they and others will come along with you too.
Scripture for reflection: Esther (all chapters), 1 Corinthians 13
