I am in a chat room where there is a subculture that is greatly misunderstood, and where it is difficult for me to not pass judgement ("Furries"). Because I have been cultivating my love for God, and for others, along with my boyfriend's influence with therapeutic ideas such as Angel's Advocate, I am learning to take a back seat instead of jumping in with my opinions.
I knew not only would unfriendly or unsupportive remarks be inappropriate, but I was also able to put myself in their position. I realized that if I started talking about something where they felt uncomfortable or insulted, they wouldn't like that either. I imagined that they wouldn't want, for example, to hear about Jesus any more than I want to hear about their fringe and misunderstood hobby.
But it was suggested that maybe they DO want to hear about Jesus. Maybe they don't realize that Jesus wants them in his fold, or that being a Christian is even a possibility. But Jesus welcomes all of us, and will come to us even at the lowest points in our lives, as he did for me.
I don't want to use Jesus for my own agenda, which is to have my own way. I want to instead use his strength to love people where they are at, just like he loved me where I was at, and to learn enough that I don't need to come from a place of judgement or reform.
It never really occurred to me that people would want to hear about Jesus. I was so wrapped up in looking unoffensive and fitting in that I didn't consider what people are searching for so deeply outside of themselves and society might really just be a yearning to invite the kingdom of God within.
I knew not only would unfriendly or unsupportive remarks be inappropriate, but I was also able to put myself in their position. I realized that if I started talking about something where they felt uncomfortable or insulted, they wouldn't like that either. I imagined that they wouldn't want, for example, to hear about Jesus any more than I want to hear about their fringe and misunderstood hobby.
But it was suggested that maybe they DO want to hear about Jesus. Maybe they don't realize that Jesus wants them in his fold, or that being a Christian is even a possibility. But Jesus welcomes all of us, and will come to us even at the lowest points in our lives, as he did for me.
I don't want to use Jesus for my own agenda, which is to have my own way. I want to instead use his strength to love people where they are at, just like he loved me where I was at, and to learn enough that I don't need to come from a place of judgement or reform.
It never really occurred to me that people would want to hear about Jesus. I was so wrapped up in looking unoffensive and fitting in that I didn't consider what people are searching for so deeply outside of themselves and society might really just be a yearning to invite the kingdom of God within.
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