By: Jenifer Metzger
Have you seen God's Not Dead yet? If not, go see it. Now. God's Not Dead encouraged me and challenged me in ways I cannot begin do describe.
After watching the movie the first time, I begin to pray that God would reveal to me what it is He wanted me to take away from it. After the second time I knew what it was. He wants me to stand up for Him and tell people He's NOT dead. He's alive and moving in our lives and He loves us so much. So I asked God to give me a Josh Wheaten (the lead character) moment.
He did. This week.
I failed.
In the middle of our homeschool day, a knock sounded at the door. I answered. Two sweet ladies gave me an invitation to the "memorial of Jesus' death." Um. Okay? Not wanting to be rude, I accepted it with a smile, said thank you and went back to homeschooling my rowdy bunch.
About fifteen minutes later it hit me what had just happened. This was my moment to step up and defend Jesus. I had to walk away from our homeschool table because tears were pooling in my eyes. I should have said but Jesus rose again! He's alive! He loves you! You don't have to work for your spot in Heaven, you simply need an intimate relationship with the One who loves you so much He gave up life for you! I should have said, I praise Him and thank Him for dying a horrid death for me, but instead of mourning that death with a memorial service I will be celebrating and praising His life and His love! But I didn't say anything.
How many times has God placed me in situations to stand up for Him? I'm not talking about playing my Christian music so others hear, wearing a Christian tee shirt, carrying a Bible or telling someone that I go to church. I am talking about moments when someone is saying that our Father doesn't exist or never rose again, moments when someone says they just don't believe. Am I walking away because of fear or not knowing what to say? Or am I even aware that I am in those moments at all?
Oh how I wish these ladies would knock on my door one more time. I wish I could turn back the clock and show them that Jesus is alive for THEM. I can't. So I pray. I ask God to forgive me. I ask God to be with these ladies and put them in the path of a believer who will stand up for Him. And I ask God to help me be aware and ready next time, because there will be a next time.
When was the last time you were in a situation to stand up for Jesus? What did you do? I'd love to hear about your own Josh Wheaten moments.
Have you seen God's Not Dead yet? If not, go see it. Now. God's Not Dead encouraged me and challenged me in ways I cannot begin do describe.
After watching the movie the first time, I begin to pray that God would reveal to me what it is He wanted me to take away from it. After the second time I knew what it was. He wants me to stand up for Him and tell people He's NOT dead. He's alive and moving in our lives and He loves us so much. So I asked God to give me a Josh Wheaten (the lead character) moment.
He did. This week.
I failed.
In the middle of our homeschool day, a knock sounded at the door. I answered. Two sweet ladies gave me an invitation to the "memorial of Jesus' death." Um. Okay? Not wanting to be rude, I accepted it with a smile, said thank you and went back to homeschooling my rowdy bunch.
About fifteen minutes later it hit me what had just happened. This was my moment to step up and defend Jesus. I had to walk away from our homeschool table because tears were pooling in my eyes. I should have said but Jesus rose again! He's alive! He loves you! You don't have to work for your spot in Heaven, you simply need an intimate relationship with the One who loves you so much He gave up life for you! I should have said, I praise Him and thank Him for dying a horrid death for me, but instead of mourning that death with a memorial service I will be celebrating and praising His life and His love! But I didn't say anything.
How many times has God placed me in situations to stand up for Him? I'm not talking about playing my Christian music so others hear, wearing a Christian tee shirt, carrying a Bible or telling someone that I go to church. I am talking about moments when someone is saying that our Father doesn't exist or never rose again, moments when someone says they just don't believe. Am I walking away because of fear or not knowing what to say? Or am I even aware that I am in those moments at all?
Oh how I wish these ladies would knock on my door one more time. I wish I could turn back the clock and show them that Jesus is alive for THEM. I can't. So I pray. I ask God to forgive me. I ask God to be with these ladies and put them in the path of a believer who will stand up for Him. And I ask God to help me be aware and ready next time, because there will be a next time.
When was the last time you were in a situation to stand up for Jesus? What did you do? I'd love to hear about your own Josh Wheaten moments.
It is time for our Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesday Link Up. We desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories in their comments.
Use the hashtag #w2wwordfilledwednesday!
Three rules to this link up:
1. Must be a {Christian} faith post.
2. You must link back to W2W somewhere in your post.
3. You must visit and comment on at least one other blog in the link up.
Jenifer you may not have done what you felt you should have afterwards but you have recognised the "moment" for the opportunity it could have been and you will think on that and prepare yourself by considering carefully what you could have said and then you will be better equipped for the next "moment" you get. We need "moments" which will lead us to thinking and praying more to be better prepared for the rest of the "moments" ahead of us. Praying for your next "moment".
ReplyDeleteSandra, I am so glad that God quickened my heart to realize and that He will give me many more moments. Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteIt happens to the best of us. Thankfully, the Lord often puts several people in a person's path, so even if we screw up, he still has a back-up plan. So glad to have found your link-up today. I really enjoyed reading this as well as some of the other blogs that have linked up!
ReplyDeleteI know there will be many more moments and I look forward to them. Thank you for stopping by Brittany.
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing this movie. Sounds like it had a real impact on you. I've had many moments I didn't listen to His voice and after repentance, and in His grace ,He allowed me to just move on to the next moment. God bless you in your future moments!
ReplyDeleteCathy, definitely go see God's Not Dead! It impacted my life and I know it will impact yours!
DeleteThank you for sharing your moment with us (and for hosting this amazing link up!). I can't think of a specific, but I know that I have thought back on a conversation or moment and realized I let an opportunity to share the Lord with someone slip through my fingers.
ReplyDeleteBeckey
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Beckey, we are faced with these God moments regularly. It's a matter of learning when the moments are. Thanks so much for stopping in!
DeleteSigh - yes, these moments happen. Sometimes it's just because we're tired, or we don't see the opportunity. But sometimes, I have to admit I have kept my mouth shut because I was self-conscious about my faith.
ReplyDeleteI remember one time when my husband and I were talking to an acquaintance that we would see very year at a western festival we go to. This one time she kept putting down people who were *religious* - about how they were so foolish. The whole time I kept my mouth shut. I never told her I was one of those "religious" people who loved Jesus. It still hurts me when I think about it.
May the Lord give us all the insight to see the opportunities, the courage to speak up, and the wisdom to know what to say.
GOD BLESS!
I agree, sometimes we are tired, sometimes don't realize it's a 'moment' and sometime we are just not sure how to step up. Amen, may God give us insight, courage and wisdom!
Delete