Dear Friend,
I’ve been meaning to talk with you for some time, its really been weighing on my mind. I wish that we have been able to talk more recently and that the busyness of life wouldn’t have gotten in the way. So here goes…
We’re friends, right? And friends care about one another; what happens in their lives, how their family is doing, what makes them happy, what they have been struggling with, and so much more.
If I were to ask you to describe me and what I’m all about, what would you say? Would you say that I’m a family man, that I am a devoted friend, a Colts fan? Would you say that I’m a Christian; that I am a follower of Jesus Christ and that I believe that He has not only forgiven my sins, but by dying on the cross, paid the price for those sins, and because of that, I will share eternal life with Him? (Wait, don’t stop reading, please…)
This past Sunday at church our pastor (Chet Martin), identified several people in the congregation based on where they have placed their allegiances and how they have shown those allegiances. He identified me and several others as Colts fans, others as Bear fans, others as Vikings fans, etc., etc., etc. He knew that I was a Colts fan because I sometimes wear my jersey to church on Sunday, and that I often post on facebook about the games, etc. His point was just this, what do show and tell others about who you are?
I hope by the way I choose to live my life, and the things that I’ve said and done, that you might see me as someone who believes in God and that I follow Him. That doesn’t mean that I’m perfect, or a do-gooder, or anything like that. What it means is that I’ve made more than my fair share of mistakes, and that even with all of my faults, I have a God who loved me (and continues to love me) enough to send His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to come to Earth and pay the ultimate price for my faults.
Without a relationship with Jesus Christ, it is not an exaggeration to say that I would not be where I am today. My life would be markedly different in just about every way. You may recall that the past two years have been especially difficult for me, and I have learned to rely on God more and more through this time. I can share anything with Him, and no matter what I’ve done, or how I feel, He is there and has helped me.
And here’s where it comes back to you. God wants you to know Him too. He loves you so much, and no matter how far away you think you are from being able to have a relationship with Him, its not too far. I have been praying for you recently, just hoping that one day you might open yourself up to the opportunity to get to know Him. Sure you have doubts, and you have questions, but God is bigger than any doubt or question you have. I know that you have struggles, and that you may have even had things happen in your life that you might blame God for, or at least question whether or not God exists, because if He did, that circumstance would not have occurred. The question of “Why God lets bad things happen to good people,” is a difficult one, but one that can be answered if you are open to listen.
It is never too late to reach out to Him, He is reaching out to you. He’s already done most of the work, you just need to let Him finish it. As your friend, I want nothing more for you than for you to know His love, peace, mercy and grace in your life. I am here for you if you have questions (I may not have all of the answers, but we can work through them together). I am here to pray for you. I can’t make the decision for you, but I am here for you if you need me.
(If you are wondering if this letter was meant for you, if you have any question about that, I only have one more thing to say – Yes it was)
