There is nothing as frustrating as the moment you realize the story you are telling, with details, nuances, and color, is floating right by your intended audience. Sometimes the situation calls for patience and on other occasions the key is logic, sequence, and the right amount of details. However, is the person ready to hear the story? If not then they are never going to understand regardless of the words, methods, or details.
In situations where people don’t get it my best advice is twofold. Don’t take it personally and realize that today is not the day. It is trying to read the map in the darkness just before dawn. Unless there is a miracle in the form of new light then reading just isn’t going to happen no matter how much effort is put into the process! With the dawn everything changes!
I know that my God is a passionately involved, caring, merciful, actively compassionate being who loves you and me just as we are. My God isn’t looking for a change before acceptance, right now is just fine. My God doesn’t require a particular style of dress or attitude, any state of being will do. My God always leave the choice of accepting the offer of relationship with us, so we control the strength and depth of our relationship with the Divine.
Even though I know this most of the people I hold dear to my heart do not. I find three action points.
First live in the knowledge that at some point everyone will understand. “I heard a strong voice out of Heaven calling, “Come up here!” and up they went to Heaven… At that moment there was a gigantic earthquake—a tenth of the city fell to ruin, seven thousand perished in the earthquake, the rest frightened to the core of their being, frightened into giving honor to the God of Heaven.” (Revelation 11.12, 13)
Second, ask God for evidence on behalf of those we hold dear. Third, live out that evidence on their behalf.
The dawn is our decision and choice.
