Letters to My Sisters, part 1 of 4
Posted by James MacDonald on August 21, 2007 05:10 PM | Comments (3)We've been in the final chapters of the book of Acts at Harvest this month and I just can't get over how often Paul had to share the same message. Over and over he told the story of his conversion, the details of his mistreatment at the hands of the Jews, the details of the unjust accusations against him, etc. etc. He just kept telling the stories again and again to anyone who would listen. Actually that tactic is what God used to get the good news of Jesus from Jerusalem to Rome. In fact, He has also used that perseverance in sharing the good news to reach most of my family too. If you're wondering how to keep going, try writing some letters. Over the next few days I will post the letters Kathy and I wrote to her two sisters and bathed in so much prayer. Little did we know at the time that they were still 15 years away from giving their hearts to Christ. It would have been so much easier had we known how strongly the Lord was working even when we could not see it. Hopefully these letters over the next few days will encourage you to keep sharing your faith. Read the first one, focusing on God's love, below.
Dear Tara and Nora:
I am writing to you today because I must put to paper the thoughts and prayers for you that fill my mind every day. Does it surprise you to know that I think of you so often? I think about you because I love you and earnestly long for you to find lasting happiness, not only in this life but in the life to come. I realize that my past attempts to share my faith with you have been inadequate and my desire to be an example has been inconsistent, at best. As I have prayed for you recently I have sensed a prompting from the Lord to write you. In the next four weeks I plan to send you four letters. Each letter will contain a truth, an illustration of the truth and a Scripture to support the truth. Each letter will also come with the prayer that God will make Himself known to you in a very real and personal way.
Truth: God loves you!
Illustration: God loves you so much that it is difficult to describe. You may not see His love, you may not feel His love and you may doubt at times whether it exists; yet He does love you. When Luke was very young I would often stand by his crib and reflect on the incredible disparity in our affection for each other. I would look into his peaceful face as he slept and let the love I felt for him well up within my heart. Sometimes my eyes would fill with tears as I thought about his future and the dark, troubled world that we had brought him into. In that moment I repeatedly promised myself to love and protect him always, no matter what the cost. Yet, did Luke love me?
If my heart was breaking it would not disturb his sleep, yet I would rise at any hour to answer his cry.
If my body was racked with pain, it would not interrupt his play, yet I anguished over his every discomfort.
If I were gone, he would forget me in a matter of days, but the thought of losing him was more than I could bear.
He had never given me a penny and was a constant expense to our limited income yet there is not money enough in all the world to buy him from me.
For him, I feel a love that cannot be described, yet at that age, I was like a machine to him. I dispensed good things that he enjoyed and was of no value to him at all apart from what I provided. Often we treat God like that--receiving life and health and all that comes with it, never stopping to think of the One who provides it all.
When Luke was small I understood that he accepted what I gave and never gave a thought about the giver. Now that he's getting older though, it means so much to receive his love in return. Take some time this week to think about how much God really loves you.
Scripture: Revelation 3:20, Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and He with Me.
Like any earthly father, God is reaching out to you; He made you and He wants to enter into a relationship with you. He wants you to recognize and receive the love He has to offer you.
Thanks for taking time to read this.
Much love to you today,
James
Comments
Posted by: Emile | August 22, 2007 11:08 AM
That is a great way to share your faith with someone. Specially telling others how great is His Love for each one of them. The Lord wants to see His people saved and that is exactly what Jesus came for. Thank you for sharing. May the Lord's love overflow in your heart. Keep sharing the Word. Keep sharing with others His Heart. In Him, Emile
Posted by: Anne | August 28, 2007 05:41 AM
I was wondering if you would put thse beautiful letters on CD as I know that they would be an inspiration to people who do not have computers.
Also may I have permission to print them out?
Thank-you and God bless you and your family,
Anne
Posted by: Trish | September 8, 2007 01:31 PM
But when you share the truth of God's general love for nonchristians apart from telling them about how he feels about their sin, isn't that misleading?
Editor Note:
Yes that would be misleading. Read the rest of the letters and find out that James does not do that in the letters he wrote.