If you abide in Me and My word abides in you, then you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
A recent blog about how the Holy Spirit can work within a Christian to change his or her life drew a response via a Twitter direct message that bothers me. It doesn’t bother me because the writer disagreed with me. People disagree with me frequently. That’s just part of life.
What bothered me was that this writer said he didn’t believe in a benevolent God and he didn’t appreciate having such beliefs shoved down his throat. Let me address the second part of that complaint first.
No one appreciates having beliefs shoved down their throats. If that’s how I come across in my posts on Christianity, then I’m failing abjectly in my efforts. If my writing leads people to feel that I’m forcing myself on them, then I need to learn to write better, because that’s not my heart.
My intention when I write on Christianity is to spread love. I write in hopes people will feel my love coming through the words to them. Even more importantly, I want them to feel the love of Jesus, the love of our Heavenly Father through my words.
Looking at the first part of this man’s complaint, he said he didn’t believe in a benevolent God. I can only hurt for someone who doesn’t believe in a benevolent God. I don’t want to force him—or you or anybody else—to agree with me. That totally misses the point. What I want is for every man, woman and child on this earth to experience the love of God.
Yes, I know that’s a Pollyannaish thought. They didn’t all feel the love of Jesus when He was here in the flesh, and they never will all feel the love of God. I understand that, but I don’t like it. I wish everyone on this planet could feel the security I feel from being in His hands, the love I feel from knowing He created me in His own image and seeks me out for a relationship with Him.
If Paul and all the other writers of the New Testament couldn’t convey that feeling to everyone who reads it, it’s obvious my writing won’t convey it, but that doesn’t keep me from wishing it could. Maybe I can hope one other person, two other people, a handful of people, can feel the love of God leaping off the pages of my writing. Maybe my words will help one or two to come to trust Jesus with their lives.
David N. Walker is a Christian father and grandfather, a grounded pilot and a near-scratch golfer who had to give up the game because of shoulder problems. A graduate of Duke University, he spent 42 years as a health insurance agent. Most of that career was spent in Texas, but for a few years he traveled many other states. He started writing about 20 years ago, and has six unpublished novels to use as primers on how NOT to write fiction. Since his retirement from insurance a few years ago, he has devoted his time to helping Kristen Lamb start Warrior Writers’ Boot Camp and trying to learn to write a successful novel himself.
David N Walker 
Sadly, to some folks, if you write about “religion” at all, you’re shoving it down their throats. I don’t find you pushy at all.
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Thanks, Jeff.
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Thanks, Ashley. Hope all is well with you.
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Be encouraged, David. God’s Word accomplishes the purpose He intends and doesn’t return to Him void.
Remember 2 Corinthians 2:16 – To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
Paul’s reference there would have been well known to the readers of his day. As the Roman triumphal procession of victory ascended the Capitoline Hill, some of the captive chiefs were taken into the adjoining prison and put to death. The same sweet scents that meant life and celebration to the victorious, meant death to their captives.
Lord willing, the “scent of death” will be a warning to those who read your words – intended to God’s glory – and the Spirit will use those words to bring them to a saving knowledge of Christ – so that they might know the sweet savor of our Sweet Savior.
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Thanks for the words of encouragement. Kristie.
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Keep writing the way you have been, genuine and with your values at heart. You do not force religion down readers’ throats, do not worry that you are doing so. Take care.
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Thanks, Christy. Don’t know any other way to write.
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I agree, David …. that it is important to write from your heart. I see nothing wrong with you sharing your love for God in your writing. I think the key is to be able to accept others’ beliefs without compromising your own. I love you.
Barb
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Thanks, Sis. Hope your allergies are better.
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I agree with Renée and Jillian. You aren’t shoving anything down anybody’s throats. People talk about all kinds of things online. If you don’t like what people are talking about, you click the back button.
Recently, I read an interesting blog post about dealing with blog trolls. Somehow, I think your twitter chaser falls into one of the author’s categories.
http://annerallen.blogspot.com/2012/02/trolls-sockpuppets-and-cyberbullieshow.html
You’ve got a good heart, David. Don’t allow the internet crazies to occupy space in your brain. LOL
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Thanks, Catie. I consider you a premier blogger, and I value your comments.
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I agree. You should keep writing from your heart. The person that thought you were shoving it down her throat reminds me of your character Fancy. You’ll have to channel some of those thoughts into her character. Sometimes, things happen for a reason. And I always believe God is behind them.
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Thanks, Jill. Missed you Saturday.
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All blog reading and social media following is optional so suggesting that you’re shoving your beliefs down someone’s throat just doesn’t make sense. And you have it right when you say that Paul’s words didn’t reach everyone (in fact, they offended many). Perhaps that just means you’re in good company.
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Thanks for the encouragement, Marcy.
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David, this is my opinion about folks who say things like the complainer you refer to in your post: More than likely the issue is not what YOU said, but instead something in that person’s own shadowland (his/her unconscious self) that causes such reactions when they respond to belief statements of others in such a manner. We cannot take it personally. Just keep going, turn the other cheek, and pray for a peaceful heart for that responder. Prayer is our solace. And living a peaceful and prayerful life is a reflection of Christ. Like St. Francis said ….. “preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words.”
Our Christian life requires us to respect the dignity of every human being, no matter their beliefs or their differences. For me, that’s difficult when someone makes a mean statement. So I pray. I know some say that’s a copout, a passive response. So I pray that I can love that person. Prayer lifts the level of love in the world ….. and boy, don’t we need more of that!
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Thanks, Emma. I think you’ve analized the situation very accurately.
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David – This is sincere – at least that’s how I perceive your words. Keep writing.
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Thanks, Sheri. I’ll keep writing. Keep coming back.
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Well, it would certainly be easier if we all believed the same things in terms of politics and religion! But there are many paths to G-d, in my humble opinion. As far as you shoving anything down anyone’s throat, that’s absurd. Especially on social media. That person has the option not to follow you. Your mission is clear.
Keep writing from your heart. It’s a good heart.
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Thanks, Renee. I always love hearing from you, and I think you and I are a great example of how people with differing beliefs can honor and befriend each other. Let’s keep it up always.
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What she said!!! I try not to blog about religion and politics because they do bring out the trolls, but you are not a pushy-shovey kind of guy so Mr. Direct Message needs to deal, or not follow you.
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Thanks, Jenny. I stay away from politics, because WAY too many people would take offense at my Teaparty-and-then-some views.
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