My family are not Christians and as I am this creates some pretty awkward situations.
Tonight's moments included refusing to watch Disney's new Frozen, even though I really wanted to watch; and arguing with my mum over if people will be drinking at my 18th birthday in July.
The birthday situation began with myself talking to my mum about wanting to go to a nice restaurant for my 18th and then probably going out to a few bars for minimal drinks. We were talking about most of my friends being students and trying to accommodate for them in terms of pricing. My mum suggested that we hire a hall and get a caterer and I suggested the church hall. She immediately started getting really frustrated, and this was aggravated by my saying that I would not want alcohol over dinner and that alcohol would only be had if we actually went out for dinner or if people accompanied me out to a pub or club. As my mother always seems to do, she turned the TV off told me that "just decide what you want to do and we will do what you want. Maybe you should just go out with your friends". This, if you're totally unaware of women and our grumpy "do what you want" voices would sound perfect. Hint: I shouldn't do what I want and neither should you if a woman tells you to.
Now I had though about this issue previously and hoped that it wouldn't be a big problem but alas it seems it will be.
It comes as no surprise to me that I feel alienated in my family, after all why should I feel at ease with those who do not love and follow God? Jesus talks about this type of conflict in Matthew 10:22 & 10:26-39.
In Matthew 10 Jesus is sending out His disciples, the people He has been teaching about God. He is sending them out even saying in v. 16 "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves...", I don't know about you but I don't really like the idea of being a sheep up against wolves. Jesus' analogy speaks to me though, showing me that the people (the wolves) that we are trying to live with and have gospel conversations with, like my family; aren't always going to be too pleased with us. This idea of displeasure for us, I think is repeated in v. 22, with Jesus saying that we will be hated by everyone because of Him. This hatred though is not in vain, even if that is sometimes how it feels.
Jesus goes on to say that the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. This reminds me and I hope it does you too, that it is better to be with Him than to be comfortable in our life in this world.
Verse 26 onwards for me is quite empowering, what could be better to hear than our Saviour describing our relationship possible with Him thanks to His death on the cross.
That is the best type of relationship, one with Him. So I encourage you to stand firm and align your heart with God's, even if it sucks and you are hated, even if it doesn't seem to lead anywhere, even if you feel you have done enough. Because He loves you and always will, no matter what the people around you are saying or doing.
Love,
Tiffany.
