Give It a Chance

(Proverbs 4:11 KJV)  I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

This is specifically directed toward parents but I think the point can have application in everyone’s life.  We all have times when we want to help others down the road.  Sometimes they are receptive, other times not so much.  In many cases, maybe most, they can not be forced.  They can only be “taught” (directed NASB) (3384).  It is frequently translated “teach” but it has the idea of throwing or casting out.  Think of the parable of the sower and the soils.  He cast the seed.  It was up to the soil to receive it or not.

This should be encouraging to us.  It takes the pressure to produce off our backs.  We live our lives of witness.  We explain to people why we live the way we do.  We talk about Jesus.  We direct them by continually pointing in the right direction.  We do not coerce.

So?  Witnessing to others should be a natural flow out of our lives.  If someone has just read a new book and is enthused about it, the book will come up naturally in conversation.  Give it a chance.