March 28, 2007
~Real Question~One of my best friend’s recently became religious. She told me that we could not be friends because I use curse words sometimes, and because of my relationship with my boyfriend. She also said that if I do not put God ahead of everything in my life and go to church I was going to go to hell and burn on judgment day.
I was raised a catholic and I believe very much in God and my faith. I may not go to church every weekend but I believe that faith is faith…it’s not the building you practice your faith in.
The only thing wrong with my relationship is that we argue sometimes like any other couple.
My friends says my relationship brings her down. I don’t swear all the time and I make sure I don’t use the Lord’s name in vain.I just feel like she’s making me out to be this horrible person that I’m not. I’m 15 years old and have fought off the temptations of drinking and drugs. I have not touched them and will not.
Please help me. I’m very confused.
-Kayla L.
~Real Answer~
Hi Kayla,
Sometimes when people become followers of Christ, they have to learn to share their faith. It’s not that they want to hurt people, but that they aren’t sure how to go about it.
When I look at the Bible I see really great stories of Jesus reaching out t0 tell people about what he called “good news”.
“Did you know that God loves you?”
“Did you know that there is a way to experience a real relationship with the Heavenly Father?”
“You used to try to please God by following rules, now you can know him.”
These were invitations to become intimate with a heavenly Father.
The cool thing about following God is that he takes ordinary people and puts them on an extraordinary journey. But rather than focus on that, many new believers focus on the external stuff, forgetting that God is big enough to change our lives from the inside out.
It sounds like your friend is still figuring things out. Maybe she’s afraid that she’ll lose what is now so precious to her, so she wants to stay away from things that used to trip her up. Maybe she’s worried about you, her friend.
Without getting angry, talk to your friend. Ask her to share why she is a follower of Christ. Show her this blog, and this response.
She’s found something really good, and perhaps that will give her a chance to talk about it.
If you have any questions about this, I’d love to share more. Knowing God has been the most amazing aspect of my life. It’s helped me discover who God is, and what I am to him, and how that impacts my whole life. It’s no different for you, Kayla. He loves you just as much.
Thanks for such an honest question. Love that.
Suzie Eller (T. Suzanne)
