Do you find it exhausting trying to make babies and toddlers take their medicines? Having to hold them tight as they protest and squirm, while we open their tiny mouths to gulp in the liquid can get mighty frustrating and tiring, too. My nephew was just like that when he was 2years old. One day, while he was still crying after my sisters tried to pry open his mouth to drink the medicine, we didn't notice that he went straight to the refrigerator. I found him licking something off his shirt, in front of the open refrigerator. To my surprise he was licking the sweet liquid from the same medicine bottle that my sisters were forcing him to drink earlier. He actually liked it! From then on whenever he is sick or has to drink his medicines we let my 2year old nephew drink it by himself.
I guess it's about the same when we are forced to do, believe or try something. The mere thought of being coerced or forced gets us in a defensive mood. It's just like when my 50year old cousin tried to convert me to his new found faith. It was repulsive for me to even think of getting near him because of the way he over imposes his knowledge and excitement with his conversion to a new faith, he sings every step of the way and tries to convince everyone he meets how changed he is and that they should do the same.
The main reason I refused to believe that he has found happiness in his new found faith is because his lifestyle has not changed for the better. He waits for blessings to come, makes excuses for not being able to find good work, and most of the time speak about God all the time without showing true compassion for others. In the end I told him point blank that just like him I am happy with my faith, he does not need to convert me anymore, because I know what I believe in.
After that incident I read this passage from 'Our Daily Bread' it says:
"While earnestly desiring to share the gospel, we may end up repelling people instead. In our sincere but overly enthusiastic attempt, we create resistance. We are called to share the good news, but we are not responsible for someone's acceptance or rejection of Christ It's not our job to try to convict someone of sin. That's the Holy Spirit's responsibility. (John 16:8)"
These few words explained my refusal and resistance to my cousin's actions. It's not just me I suppose, I guess it's how people should approach others. Coercion is not necessary, when a person is ready, they will know when it's time to embrace and personify the Faith.
