By Anita Mondragon

 

Have you ever become unsatisfied with your life?  Have you ever looked around and thought…”I wish I wasn’t HERE in this place! “?  When you observed the success of your friends, have you longed to be THERE in their shoes?  I think we have all had a bite out of that apple.

 

I went to a gathering last night.  It turned out to be a rip-roaring party.  Mostly family, a few new acquaintances, and some folks I’d never seen before.  It started out with light conversation and food but soon turned into something else.  I have to admit I felt pretty alone and uncomfortable.  I was shocked and saddened by those closest to me.  I thought Jesus and His teachings had rubbed off on them a little more.  I sat quietly and refused the drink offered to me.  When asked “Why?”, I merely said, “I don’t drink.”  Now being a Christian, I could have started quoting Scripture to them.  I could have pulled out my Bible and slapped them upside the head with it, but instead, I was a quiet witness. I hopefully let them SEE the Jesus in me.

 

There are four things we can do when we find ourselves in this situation.  They are as follows:

 

1.  Stand firm in the truth.  If we are firmly grounded in the truth of God’s Word, we will not be swayed to join in.

2.  Continue in every good work and word.  We must keep the attitude, speech, and conduct that will reflect Christ.

3.  Have a prayer life.  You can pray quietly to yourself and ask God to give you an opportunity to share the truth.  Your simplest words done in love can have an amazing effect on someone when those words are directed by the Holy Spirit.

4.Stay in obedience to the Lord!  Godly influence on others will only come if we ourselves are obedient to our Father in Heaven!

 

People watch us.  They listen to what we say, and they watch how we respond and act.  You can’t say one thing and then live differently.  Folks want to see if you really believe what you’re saying is TRUTH.

 

I used to be in that place of HERE, wishing I could be THERE…  Then someone showed me the only difference between HERE and THERE was the cross.  Jesus in my life made all the difference.