Have you ever had someone stop talking to you? How about stopping all communication with you: email, phone calls, texting, etc.? What happened to cause this? Did you hurt the person’s feelings, or did you just grow apart?
Sharing Insights and Beliefs
One day, while texting with my sister, I mentioned an article that I had recently read that suggested Mozart died from eating under-cooked pork. It turns out, according to this article, that Mozart’s symptoms were consistent with trichinosis. As my sister is a very talented violinist, I thought this might interest her. I then told her that my family and I no longer eat pork because of our convictions based on Scripture. My sister didn’t care for my position, and she began to mock it. She brought up Peter’s vision in Acts 10 as well. I suggested that she look at Acts 10:28 for context. She said, “I read it.”
A Clash of Convictions
My sister then told me that she no longer wanted to speak to me because I did not affirm her. My sister lives a homosexual lifestyle, while I believe in keeping all of God’s Word (anything that applies to me as a woman). In this particular conversation, I did not mention anything to her about her lifestyle. However, she still knew my beliefs when it came to homosexuality. I even told her that we could talk about other things that are not in the Bible. This was not good enough for her. She wanted affirmation from me or else — no relationship.
The Pain of Rejection
What was I supposed to do? Give up my convictions and bow to her will? No, I am a child of God and I obey my Heavenly Father first. I am not a robot. I am a human being with a mind that God gave me. His Word is perfect (Psalms 18:30) and it is not to be played with. Therefore, I told my sister that I would respect her desire to no longer speak to me again.
Love Despite Differences
Does this hurt? Of course it does. I love my sister, and if she ever changes her mind, I am here for her. Even after her coming out, I never once told her that I would never speak to her again. Somewhere along the way, it became her agenda to cut people out of her life that do not share in the way that she thinks. I think this is wrong. There are many people who I do not always agree with, however I still speak with them. In the end, only God can truly change a person. Maybe one day, I can have a relationship again with my sister. She was a very good big sister. She was very protective of me. I will never forget the things she taught me while growing up.
Something that helps me with all of this is the answer that Jesus gave when He was told that his mother and brothers were standing outside wanting to speak with him:
A Family in Christ
According to Jesus, you are my sister or my brother in Messiah if you do the will of God. Therefore, I have many siblings through Messiah. We are children of God (Romans 8:13-17). I want to encourage all my brothers and sisters in Messiah to follow God’s Word to the best of your ability. When we fall short, God is there to pick us up! Trust in Him and His Word. Jesus kept all the commandments perfectly as He never sinned! Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). We should do our best to walk as He walked. May the Lord bless you and encourage you in the Faith. Amen.