True Love Evangelizes
 
Family gatherings. We’ve all been there. They can sometimes be associated with stress, frustration, anger, but also much joy. Our families often tend to be the ones we love the most, yet we are most afraid to share the message of Jesus Christ with. One of the seemingly worst ways to come together as a family is a funeral. And yet, it was at such a gathering that I was able to see my cousin Jen who flew in all the way from Texas.
 
While we don’t see each other often, it was a great time to catch up. While Jennifer is ten years older than me, when she recently became a Christian seven years ago we started to find a common bond and relationship that went farther than any other differences in our lives. This is why after asking about each other’s lives and pastimes, my natural next question was, “How’s your faith life going?”
 
Most people would find the idea of asking someone this question appalling or inappropriate, let alone to ask a family
member. While I don’t see Jen often enough, I knew this was something important to ask her, especially as a new member of the one Body of Christ. The answer I got was just as beautiful.
 
“I’m struggling, but I know the closer I get to God the more Satan will attack me, so I’m still trying,” I was filled with complete joy to hear my cousin unafraid to share her struggles with me.  Joy over her suffering? Yes, because all of us will have our Faith tested. It isn’t a question of if, but when. We all will be tested to surrender not only our Faith, but even worse, the
temptation of becoming lukewarm. Even in her struggle to pray and go to Church every week Jen saw this, recognized it, and isn’t giving up. This “baby” Christian who was raised with completely no Faith shared wisdom and a deep knowledge of God that humbled and encouraged me as well.
 
Due to her strength and because of our lack of fear to have this conversation, we were able to share encouragement and support. We were able to talk about Faith, the struggle, and even give each other book recommendations. I was humbled and overjoyed to be able to have this conversation. To bond with my cousin who also said the first thing that led her to consider God, was a coworker in her life who had everything in common with her, except one thing. Faith. And this seemed to change everything about this coworker making her a person she respected and longed for the peace she possessed.
 
Evangelization is scary, but when we really love someone, it is well worth the risk! It is worth asking a Faith related question or sending random encouragement, maybe just letting someone know you are praying for them. What do you have to lose? An awkward moment? Brief anger? Your loved one’s peace, happiness, and even eternal soul? The risk of saying nothing is much greater than the risk of saying something. Do the most important people in your life know what is different about you? Because that influence of peace and joy can forever change a life if they recognize where it is coming from. My cousin is awesome and I was so humbled to be able to enjoy such a precious conversation with her. I was humbled and in awe of her wisdom which encouraged and inspired me. This is the beauty of evangelizing. As you become more open about your Faith, the grace and joy you will receive far outweigh the fear of doing it.
 
~ Trisha Trout