Between travelling from Serbia to Romania, our squad stayed at a hostel in Belgrade, Serbia. It was actually my first time staying at a hostel, a lot nicer than I had expected (which is always a pleasant surprise). A lady who worked at the inn caught my eye. To be honest, it was in between the eye contact that lingers because of curiosity and friendliness, and the eye contact that lingers because of flirtatiousness. Regardless, she stuck out to me and I immediately knew I had to share Jesus with her. I asked Jesus to give me an opportunity to share with her where she would be receptive (be careful praying this, because He always answers).
One morning she sat across from me at the breakfast table. I had my bible out and she had her journal. We made casual conversation and she told me about some philosophy class she had attended the night before. The opportunity I had prayed for presented itself in that moment. “What do you believe in?” I asked confidently. And we continued to embark on a long conversation that basically resulted into my understanding that she doesn’t really have a set ‘belief’. She had a classic Hindu/universalist stance. It is an easy stance to take if you don’t really know what to believe in, but want to admire the presence or even the workings of a higher power. She kind of believed in “if you’re good outweighs your bad” kind of ideology.
She also believed in reincarnation, which is not typical of Americans who take the similar universalist stance. She was well-travelled and decently versed, so I could tell she had put a lot of thought into this, but I could also see her contradictions of herself and knew that she was not even satisfied with her own answers. I felt as if she had chosen the system of religion/beliefs that best suited her and was convenient for her and what she desired at the time. “I haven’t chosen a religion where I can accept all of it in it’s entirety and commit to it yet” she stated definitively. In which I replied, “Oh so you want a religion that is convenient for you then?” “Yes,” she said hesitantly. “Oh so basically you want to be God of your own religion,” I asked gently. Although I conveyed it with grace, I know it offended her and honestly I am glad it did.
Sometimes, if we get too caught up with trying to put these complexes and systems together that sound intellectual, but make up a belief system with no real foundation, then we need to be verbally slapped in the face to realize what we are doing. Do not misinterpret my heart here, my desire is not to be ‘right’ or win an ‘argument’ or even walk away feeling like I had the last word. My heart is to tell the truth of the Gospel unhindered and unfiltered, even if it means offending someone. That is love. YES Jesus loves everyone, YES Jesus wants people to know Him. But sometimes (more often than not), love means telling the truth even if it hurts. Sometimes love means boldly disagreeing with someone’s actions or beliefs by using the Bible as the measuring stick (nothing else).
Love is not, “tolerate all”. Love is not, “accept everyone as they are.” Love is caring about someone more than you care about yourself. And if I truly believe Jesus’ words that “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the father except through me”, then how can I not say something and say I still love you? If faith in Jesus Christ is the doorway to eternity in heaven, and without Him then Hell is not only promised, but deserved… How can I not say something. Love is not me smiling and saying, wow I really respect your beliefs and your character and I don’t want to jeopardize my reputation or ‘our friendship’ so I’m going to cower away and not confront you with the telling you about Gospel of Jesus Christ. Love is boldly proclaiming truth, at the cost of cultural norms, at the cost of being made fun of, at the cost of me not being liked or appreciated, and even one day at the cost of physical persecution.
I hope the point I am making above makes sense. The lady and I talked for over an hour. We ended by agreeing to disagree, but throughout the conversation I read verses to her that hopefully would plant seeds of truth that would began to work on her heart. I ended by thanking her willingness to discuss the matter and also telling her that Jesus loved her and desired a relationship with her whether she realized it or not.
I walked away sad and burdened for her heart. Knowing I would never see her again, my heart yearned to see her come to know Jesus. Shortly after, a group of us prayed for her and I cried profusely. My heart burdens to see people come to know Jesus, and every time people are confronted with the Gospel and reject Jesus, it hurts my heart. It always hurts, but sometimes more than others… and this one really hurt. I really cared for this lady, and I cannot explain why.
If you are reading this and you do not know Jesus I want to challenge you. If Jesus is real, if He really did die and rise from the grave 3 days later and He is our Savior, then the bible is true. And if the bible is true, then nothing else and no other religion or ‘god’ is. It takes courage to put your faith in Jesus and believe in Him. It takes the courage to repent and turn from your way of life and you being your own ‘god’ and trusting in Jesus. It is not easy, but He is the one true God. Simply put, nothing else will ever satisfy you.
Secondly, I want to challenge you who do know Jesus. Be bold, share the gospel and don’t compromise the truth. We live in a politically correct era in America, and quite frankly… screw that. If a disease took over mankind and you had the only cure would you not share it? To not share the cure for the disease would be the real atrocity. Be bold, if you really love your friends or your family you will pray for them AND share Jesus. (In truth, but also with grace).
