Out Reach

Reconciliation of God to One of His Children

Baggage Burdens. shows critical elements of time and faith, lots of time and lots of faith are vital. For those who have been active in evangelism this may not be surprising, but how reconciliation comes to pass in Jill’s life may be illuminating.

Jill’s mother, Alice Rezley, had a very strong faith, but it was nothing that Jill recognized when she lived at home. Jill’s mother died never knowing that her faith would have an impact on her daughter. Yet even in her death she reached out to her family in an expression of faith and love. It isn’t easy to accept that we can’t see how our faith life helps those we love.

   

What does time have to do with winning a person over to God? Is it quality time with someone as measured by loving service? Is it the amount of time you spend with a person? Is it God’s time?

Josey, Jill’s grandmother, rescued Jill when she was homeless. The two months that they spent together were like heaven to Jill. She never forgot her grandmother’s love, but it didn’t stop her from running away from Josey. Josey’s love didn’t bring Jill to the Lord.

The time was too short you might venture. Mary, Jill’s best friend and employer cared for Jill for two years. Even after Jill married and moved away she kept in contact with Mary. Their relationship didn’t bring her closer to God. Time and quality of care proved insufficient.

Acts of love with expressions of faith are needed? Joseph, Jill’s loving husband for more than 26 years, effectively expressed his faith with church members. At Joseph’s request Jill agreed to a church marriage. At dinner the family prayed. Over the length of their marriage, how is it possible that Jill couldn’t be affected?

Because of her friends, Ann and Pete, and her niece, Julie, Jill joined the church. She worked with church programs and children. Jill proved she knew about God but didn’t know God. She didn’t turn to God for things that troubled her even when she felt like ending her life, even after her automobile accident placed her in hospital.

In God’s time you venture? Who knows His mind? Who knows what He does and why? A possible answer, but consider the genuine efforts of Jill’s mother, grandmother, employer and friend, husband and church. Don’t they show God reaching out to Jill? The missing ingredient is Jill deciding she wants to know God and what he can do for her. With that knowledge and experience she will be able to praise God’s as a present and loving personal God.

A time in Jill’s life arrives when she hungers to rebuild her relationship with her oldest son. It’s something she has failed to do. She is ripe for harvesting. God provides His servant. He opens the door to start reconciliation with her son and with Him.

It’s not our work that brings people to God. It’s the work of the Holy Spirit that makes our actions meaningful. Even so an individual must also choose God.  In what way have you seen this experience?

The devil you say. How much of Jill’s troubles are because of the devil twisting her perception of reality? Is what haunts Jill through much of her life from the devil or from a guilty conscience? While no direct reference is made of the devil in Baggage Burdens. the traits of the devil may suggest his presence. The devil you say? What possibilities does the next blog lead you to?