Articulating God's Truth and Love

As I explore and apply this concept of bringing the Kingdom of God to all people, I am finding that my traditional way of thinking is being blown away by the revelation of God's Love and Jesus' presence in my walk.

A few days ago, I had a lively conversation with a couple of my colleagues that ended up going along the lines of - 'What about all those people before Jesus came along or those who died and never heard the gospel? And what about all those in different religions? Are they all in hell?'

It was at this point that I felt as though I was drowning....and I prayed, "Dear God in Heaven give me Your Words to speak."

Now, I would love to report that I was filled with the Holy Spirit and out flowed all the right answers and my colleagues saw the Light and were transformed...Nope. Someone came up at that moment and interrupted the conversation to gossip, which was readily embraced by the one colleague and the other (a professing Christian) seemed somewhat unconcerned that the conversation took a turn and, without missing a beat, joined in the new conversation.

I sat and listened for a few minutes before I gapped out into new a conversation with God.

"What just happened Father? and Why did I freeze at that point? I enjoy a challenging discussion...I really wanted to engage and share...?" As I replayed the questions my colleague posed to me, I realized that I did not have an answer, I mean, I am in a spot where I am seeing the Love of God in this world, in each denomination, in each culture, in a new way and I am still trying to make sense of it. And I could not come up with a short concise answer that did not challenge even me. "God loves all people...Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life..." I came to the conclusion that God wanted to get my attention as much as (or even more than) my colleagues. (He probably saved me from sticking my foot in my mouth as I am sorting out how God is working in this multi-cultural world and how He has worked in this world, not to mention how He will continue to work in this world and through His children.)

Am I making sense? To me, being able to articulate the Word of God and the Love of God is...well...it is a deep desire. I really wanted to have an answer for my colleague, but I didn't and I had to reflect upon why...I was disturbed, not because there would not be another opportunity, but because I am seeing God in a very different perspective than what I have in the past. A global perspective and this new perspective is stretching me as I attempt to apply all that I know from God's Word to all the world. Being able to articulate God's Love and Truth to individuals of all cultures is challenging...Goodness, trying to express myself to my friends and family is a challenge a lot of days!

Do I have a stuttering problem like Moses? No. But I do think too much. I make things more difficult than they need be. I was told I tend to be detail oriented considering many angles, many perspectives...oi...God can still use me right?! I believe so. So, as He teaches me how to articulate all that I need to articulate and express His Love with the giftings He has given me, I will continue to persevere and study His Word, seek Him out, and walk where He leads me...one day I will speak the Heart of God and someone will hear, to His Glory...and in the meantime, I will continue to glean from those that have these giftings already in fruitful use, thanking God for each one of them...for they inspire me as I hope to inspire others one day in their walk with God.
(Thank-you blogging community!)

Isaiah 55:11...so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.Isaiah 55:10-12 (in Context) Isaiah 55 (Whole Chapter)