Gospel Neighbor

The reason why I am where I am is because of the Lord's sovereignty. He knows best why my family is in Gurugram, and that too, in an upper-middle-class society, among the rich and influential people. I never chose to be here. It just happened, and I have been living here for the past twelve years. The literature work has been carried out from here for the whole country and the saints are also meeting in this place for the church in Gurugram. 

Besides all these, as a family, we have also been praying for the salvation of the people of this city, especially the community we live in. Since the time we came to know that a new neighbor is shifting in, we have been praying for their salvation, not knowing who the neighbor will actually turn out to be. We simply prayed and prayed. Beginning this month, a new family has finally shifted in. 

After a week of prayer, the Lord gave me and my wife the opportunity to visit them one Saturday evening, in fact, last week. It was our first meeting and an ice-breaking session. We had a good neighborly conversion for over two hours. 

During the conversation, I was considering if it would be the proper time to share the gospel. Or should I wait until we familiarise ourselves with them? But deep within I felt that I should not miss any opportunity. Therefore, towards the end of our meeting, I briefly spoke about the mystery of human life. I am not too sure if they appreciated the gospel sharing part as they also seem to be a devout worshipper of their gods and goddesses as manifested in the idols in the room. Anyhow, a simple gospel was preached. And now they got to know us as Christians next door. As a kind gesture, we extended our help in any way should they need so to which they oblige to accept if need be. I even proposed that we should meet up once a week to read through some spiritual materials. Perhaps, I went too far? Then, we took leave for the night.

The following day, I received a surprise message from my neighbor that they appreciated our visitation but was not interested to continue in the "religious" part of spiritual pursuit. The message was so disappointing to me as I thought the Lord answered our prayer in bringing a new family to which we can share the gospel. Looks like they accepted us as a good neighbor but rejected the gospel we are burdened to share with them. Anyhow, this experience drove me to deeply consider before the Lord in prayer how we can be a blessing to our neighbor in the gospel. Since they openly expressed their feeling already, it would not be wise to intrude into their space. The only thing we are left with is, to pray and pray and pray until they are open for the gospel. Perhaps, the Lord wants us to learn the lesson of living the gospel first before preaching the gospel. 

Personally, I was a bit disappointed and repented to the Lord if I had done anything wrong. Or perhaps, I went too far or too fast in gospel preaching. I look to the Lord for His mercy and wisdom that I may know how to preach the gospel at the proper time. Though the situation was such, we do not give up, we will continue to pray and pray, and looking forward to the day our whole neighbor's family will be saved.

May the Lord make us a channel of blessing and even a blessing to all our neighbors!