What do you do when a loved one boldly announces that they no longer have any convictions or beliefs about God? They question if He even exists. You have stood in church with this cherished loved one, countless times, singing praises together to your precious Savior, with their small hand in yours, and now they no longer want to be there.
You sorrow...
It is ok to grieve. Sin should bring sorrow to our hearts. Sin and rebellion grieves the heart of God. We are reflecting Him when we grieve over sin.
You love...
You continue to be Jesus to them, showing them self-sacrificial love and kindness. You speak the truth in love to them. You tell them the answers are there, if they will look.
You pray...
You humbly thank the Lord for His gift of faith to you, which you didn't deserve. There but for His grace to you, you could be in the same place. He would be just and there would be no blight on His character if He'd not granted you repentance. You ask the Lord to reveal Himself to your loved one in a mighty, glorious way, as He removed the enemy's blinders for you, so you could see Him as the One who absorbed God's wrath for your sin. Days, months, or years down the road, your loved one could come to the end of themselves, and like the prodigal son, their eyes could be opened to their sinfulness, the Lord working in concert with your faithful prayers. As long as there is life, there is hope, so don't stop praying.
You trust...
You rest in God's sovereign plan. You know as Creator and the One who holds all things together, as the eternal God, He has the story written from the beginning to the end of each person's life. God has determined from eternity past who are His and each and every one will come to Him. You know there is an even bigger story. Way, way bigger. You know the story is really about Him. He is the main character and in His amazing love, He has written you into His story. Your part in His story is to grow in knowledge of Him by spending time with Him. Your part is to live each day, walking by faith with Him. Your part is surrendering your will to His. Your part is reflecting His grace in your life back to the world around you, making much of Him.
