Having a Prayertitude (part two)

As Christians when dealing with family members, I believe it's hardest reaching those in our extended families for a couple of reasons: one, we may only see them at social gatherings, and two, it takes a much longer period of time building a relationship with someone you don't frequently see. The one thing to remember though is nothing is impossible with God. The key in reaching an extended member is obviously getting to know them first, to build some kind of trust with them. You can't just rush in and throw Jesus at them. Most new born Christians will learn this the hard way! We all remember being so overwhelmed with joy and wanting to tell the whole world about Jesus, then becoming overeager in our assault of evangelism within our own family that they look at us and say, "Who created this monster!"This over zealousness will only push them farther away from you. As you begin to build a relationship with that person, you can then bring Jesus into the conversation when the opportunity presents itself. Unless they bring Jesus into the conversation first, and if that happens, then your halfway home! And then it's,

Hook, line, and saved!"

The key in any of these scenarios is to show love. The same love that Christ himself has shown in you. I believe love and prayer is the only way to reach those who may appear argumentive against your evangelistic approaches. This scenario I can speak on from personal experience.

Once again, we are dealing here with just extended family members for the moment. Since the times we see them are limited, and once some kind of relationship has been built, we can then bring Jesus into the light. But, all along through this building up of the relationship, they need to see Jesus in you. If they see you at a gathering, and your in the corner with your brothers swearing at the game on the television, or you ladies are in the kitchen cooking with your sisters, whining and complaining about your husbands, it is most likely they aren't going to respect what you have to say about Jesus. You need to exemplify Jesus if your going to reach others to Christ. They need to see what you have: joy, peace, love, all of the fruits of the Spirit within you.

To the debaters who always throw a monkey wrench into your approachment of Jesus, better to just walk away as it says in scripture. I've learned this one the hard way. After a few social gatherings and many debates, I, and the other extended member, have learned to just not bringing Jesus into the conversation unless someone else brings it up. We are just friends. No, I haven't given up on that person. I still pray for them and more importantly show love to them. Just by being there when they or someone in there family is in a crisis, or maybe a death in the family, and the good times as well: remembering their birthdays, and Christmas. This all fits in the category of showing Christ's love through our actions.

We need to remember our works are not in vain. We may not see the results in our time span, or sometimes even in our lifetime, but you have to believe that, if your are exemplifying Jesus with love, they are paying attention to you.

Conclusion on Friday post.