Join us in praying for opportunities to share the good news with Jose Luis and Emilio's friends and family.

We all live in networks of relationships, but, speaking for myself, it is not the most natural thing to think of those people as the ones to "evangelize." Or, rather, it is very natural for me to feel like I'm getting mercenary with my relationships when I think in those terms--like I'm taking advantage or attaching strings. At the very least, there is often a sense of pressure or awkwardness that looms when we try to broach matters of faith, which are in American culture merely matters of opinion, not to be imposed. On the other hand, just a little practice at sharing beliefs with others makes it clear that these are indeed touchy issues--as religion must always be--and we rightly tread lightly in many circumstances. The real upshot is that effective witness to Jesus, at least in my context, is predicated on trust. Without relationship we rely upon signs and wonders, rhetoric and fear, and many such things, none of which are really sustainable. A relationship of trust means not only permission to share but to disagree, to dialogue, to continue the conversation later. Most importantly, it means that love remains at issue throughout. It is not about "winning" someone or doing what we're "supposed" to do. It is about telling someone something because you believe it matters for them and you care. There is little room in an authentic relationship for manipulating, pressuring, or any of the other games we can play.

It is an interesting bind, then, when relationships are guarded against religious beliefs but relationships are the best basis for sharing them. Then again, relationships lacking trust and openness do not qualify as the kind of basis for sharing I have in mind. In that case, the foundation of love, compassion, humility, and acceptance is yet to be truly laid.

Anyway, the complexity of this whole relational situation means that when it comes to answering the question, "Who am I going to tell?" we often default to, "Not friends and family." The question remains for us all, especially those of us who believe that this news about Jesus is so good that we have to tell someone, and that we have to figure out the way to tell it that best serves God's purposes. From our POV here in AQP, it makes perfect sense to encourage new believers to think in terms of relationships they've already formed as an extension of the image of God that was always part of them. That is to say, caring, joyful relationships are a gift from God. Why ignore them?

So where do we start? How do we equip new believers (or old ones) to turn their existing connections into an outlet for their faith, hope, and joy? Since every relationship has boundaries, and most everything in life has an appropriate moment, the first step is to pray for wisdom. What to say or how and when to say it are not always obvious things. With God giving discernment, the simplest thing to do is make a list of people and begin praying for them specifically. That is what we will soon do with Jose Luis and Emilio, and we can use all the wisdom God will give. Your prayers for this process are so valuable to us.