Choose Love!!

As many of you know, one of my mission fields is at Starbucks coffee shop.  Over the past few years, I have become friends with a number of people of many different races, socio-economic statuses, etc.  There is a gentleman who has consistently been joining our group for the past two and a half years.  He traveled the world in his younger days, is quite a character and, for the most part, has been pleasant, until recently.  You see, the way I see this gentleman is where he is or isn’t in the Kingdom of God.  I know that God has brought him here because He has his mark on him…a mark for salvation.  According to the evidence of the fruit of the Spirit, this person, we’ll call him “Merle”, is either a back-slidden Christian or he has never known Christ as his Savior.

 

As the group of women, with the exception of Merle, has progressed to hearing, understanding and accepting the gospel, Merle has become increasingly diligent in opposing me, personally…and he’s extremely verbal about it.  This is very much a spiritual battle.  Now, I choose love, as challenging as it may be in the real time of the situation.  I’m not going to allow myself to push him away because I know what, or rather who, is behind these attacks.

 

You see, it’s not flesh and blood that we contend with.  It’s the enemy.  Ephesians 6:12

 

I have set my mind to not allow myself to be offended by him because it’s more important to me that “Merle” find eternity in Heaven, rather than in eternal damnation.  I have to take this all the way back to the cross.  How long did Jesus wait for me?  Was I arrogant and rude to Christians as they were planting seed for the Kingdom of God?  Honestly, I don’t remember the answers to those questions, but I probably was rude and arrogant, and I’m sure Jesus was very patient the entire time He waited for me to answer “yes” to His call.  Therefore, I choose to be the same to Merle.  We cannot expect non believers to totally be accepting to the call of salvation in Christ Jesus.

 

This point of this blog is not to pat myself on the back.  The point is to point us all to Jesus.  It’s the will of our Heavenly Father, our Daddy, that all should be saved.  2 Peter 3:9  In cases like this, we must turn the other cheek.

 

This gentleman has risen to another level of attack.  It’s quite turned into verbal abuse, of which I am well associated.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I stood my ground with him along with silent prayer in the moment.  This did not dissuade him in the least.  I have been in prayer about how to handle this situation.  And, although I don’t know what the course of action is, I know the One who does.  I am at rest with this.  And, whether or not Merle comes to know Christ as his Lord and Savior, I am choosing love for this elderly gentleman. My heart cries out for his salvation.  In the time that I have come to know and love Merle, his health has declined quickly.  He reminds me of my own earthly dad, especially in that he has chosen to disassociate himself with his daughter, which I know from experience is heart breaking.

 

I’m sure that in one way or another, we all may have someone in our life that comes to mind as we read this.

 

Choose love.

 

Choose to turn the other cheek.

 

However, you’re not a doormat either.  Know when to keep on keepin’ on and when to walk away.  Like I said earlier, I’m not sure of the course of action as far as what to say and when to say it. But I have set my mind that I will allow the Holy Spirit to show me what the course of action is.  Luke 12:11-12  

 

Know that if and when you find yourself in a situation like this, it is the enemy who is attacking you through the person, not the man / woman, themselves.  Set your mind to keep that perspective.  When the enemy sees that the person they’re controlling is taking steps towards the Kingdom of God, they kick up the attack through that person.  In fact, often, the attack will get much worse before it gets better simply because the enemy doesn’t want to lose…and, in this case, I DO believe that the enemy will lose.  It’s just a matter of time.

 

Count it all joy!!  James 1:2-8  God is not surprised by this situation, nor does He not have a plan for it.  I don’t look down on this man.  I look forward to what God’s plan is for him.  I also look for the ways that God is growing me through this situation.  I’ve heard it said that God is the ultimate recycler.  I just love this statement because it’s so true!!  God doesn’t waste a single thing.  If we allow Him, He will work all things for our good.  Romans 8:28    Hallelujah!!

 

Choose Love!!