Have you felt it? That twinge? That moment of embarrassment? That moment of hesitation? You know what I mean. That feeling that you get, anytime you are out of church, somewhere in public, when someone says the name Jesus. Or when someone starts talking about God, the Bible, or Salvation.
What is that? Why? That twinge? That moment of embarrassment? That moment of hesitation? Why, that outright denial, in some cases? Is it uncertainty? Is it pride? Is it fear? Why would you, a child of God, act out in this manner, ever?
Jesus Himself knew that this would be the case. He told us…
“And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” Matthew 11:6
He foretold us that the World would hate us, because it hated him first.
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18
We instinctively know this is the case. Yet, sometimes we still experience it. I’m curious about your point of view on this.
I had an experience in the summer..well 2 experiences.
I was at a public park with my family and as I was leaving a building with a public washroom I overheard two women in conversation who were going in the building. One said “the Holy Spirit” in the conversation and I stopped, turned around and walked up to them and asked “Excuse me, did you just mention the Holy Spirit?” And an incredible, uplifting, edifying conversation burst out between the 3 of us that ended in us praying together, right there, in full view of everyone, including my eldest son.
I was leaving a grocery store with my brother and a woman going in said to me “It sure does, doesn’t it!” She was commenting on my t-shirt which reads “Prayer changes things”. Another uplifting, edifying conversation broke out, and we shared our joy in the love of Christ and the power of prayer.
I’m never embarrassed by a stranger mentioning God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or scripture. I just jump in. Boldness is my jam lol