I read a fictional story of a just and good man who visited Sodom before it was destroyed. He hoped to save the city from God’s judgment. He tried talking to one person after another, but no one would give him the time of day. Since no one was paying attention, he made a big picket sign with the word “Repent” on it, but still everyone just passed him by. So, he began to go down the streets shouting, “Men and women, repent! What you are doing is wrong. It will kill you! It will destroy you!”
He was ridiculed and ignored, but still he went on shouting. Finally, a man stopped and said, “Stranger, can’t you see that your shouting is useless?” The man replied, “Yes, I see that.” The person then asked, “So why do you continue?”
The man replied, “When I arrived in this city, I was convinced that I could change them. Now I continue shouting because I don’t want them to change me.”
Tempted to Give Up
It can be very discouraging when you try to share your faith with someone, and it falls on deaf ears. It can be tempting to just to give up and remain silent, but that is not we told to as Christians.
Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you… (Matthew 28:19-20b).
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have… (1 Peter 3:15).
So next time you feel as if no one is listening to what you have to say about Christ, don’t lose heart. Continue to speak out for those things you know to be true and, if nothing else, you are constantly reminding yourself about who you are and what you believe.
Youth and Family Minister
