Ridgell's Originals

You will get to visit with them this holiday season.  The Prodigals.  People who once committed to Jesus but have wandererd away.  Some have outright rejected their faith.  Others have moved to a far country where they are living as prodigals.  Some have just drifted out of their faith orbit.

And you will see them at Christmas.  Some will be family members.  Some will show up with their parents at a Christmas worship service.  You will hear them talking at work or in the neighborhood.

Uncomfortable.  Combative.  Confused.  Wondering.  Wishful.

Some will be thinking about coming back to their faith.  They may feel the tug of the Holy Spirit to come home.  

So how can we help.

Be welcoming.  You do not have to ask where they have been.  Or try and convince them to come back.  Maybe you just hold their hand in the family prayer.  Maybe tell them it is good to see them at the service.

Be happy they are there. 

If they engage in any kind of spiritual discussion... be happy.  Listen to them.  It is even OK to express a different viewpoint.  But be loving.  Always loving.  

I tend to think Christmas is one of the best opportunities to engage with the prodigals.  The lost sheep.  The ones who left.  

Be welcoming.  Be open to conversation.  Invite.  Live your faith.  

Say the prayer at the meal.  Go to church.  Read the gospel account of the birth.

Maybe you will touch a heart.  

Maybe it will be the start of the journey home.

So start praying now.  Pray for the prodigals you know and those you may encounter.

Ask for wisdom to recognize opportunities to speak.  For wisdom to know what to say.

And for courage to speak the truth in love.

Labels: Christmas, prodigals

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM