Hell, Part II

Whatever its nature, the reality of Hell should make us supremely uncomfortable- in the sense that we ought to be very uncomfortable with the idea of anyone ending up there. It must push us to share our faith.

I have always admired bold people like my dad, who will ask the fast food worker at the drive through, "Do you know Jesus?" He is direct, simple, and humorous in his approach. He will tell anybody "Jesus loves you!", and I like that. Then there are the brainiacs who are into apologetics and can debate those who are more resistant. Others can simply listen and offer a prayer that melts a heart of stone. Some live lives of such consistency of character that people are drawn to them, while others share what Jesus has done for them in powerful ways.

Since reading Erasing Hell I find myself thinking more and more about those who do not yet know God. I wonder, how can I reach out to the lost? I'm not naturally a bold personality and I don't process ideas fast enough to debate; sometimes I  get tongue-tied in prayer and I don't really like talking about myself either. I don't like confrontation, I don't want to offend, I don't want to stir up the pot, I don't want to be rejected, and above all I don't want to make a fool of myself. Ask me about my faith and I'll tell you anything, but to extend myself, to go up to someone and ask her about her relationship with God? That has my stomach in knots and my mouth running dry. Wait- what was that God? It's not about me? : )

What I am finally learning (after 35 years!) is that the key is love. Duh, right? But I'm realizing how poor and small and selfish my "love" can be. If I can learn to love people as God loves them, then I will care less about making a fool of myself and care more about people coming to know God. As I journey on the road towards real, unselfish, unconditional love, I notice that I am becoming more bold and compassionate. And being the analytical, performance-oriented person that I am, I have to keep reminding myself that there is no formula, there is no grade... it's all a process. And the goal is to know Christ and to make Him known.