I am slowly learning what it means to make some space for God. People I love struggle with their faith. Some people I love have decided they don’t need God. My first thought is to fix it.

I want to tell them all of the reasons they should believe. I want them to know the hope and grace I have found. I think that if I say the right thing they will see as I see except that is not how it works. I can’t talk someone into believing. That is the work of God.

Recently, at a gathering I was talking with a colleague about generation Z. We were talking about their apparent lack of need and/or interest in organized religion and faith. Their reaction is “meh”. He suggested that we make some space for God to do what God does.

^24-28 “‘For here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to take you out of these countries, gather you from all over, and bring you back to your own land. I’ll pour pure water over you and scrub you clean. I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. You’ll once again live in the land I gave your ancestors. You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God! (Ezekiel 36:24-28 MSG).

Faith comes through a conviction in the heart. That conviction only comes through God’s active work within our lives, changing us, cleaning us. The good news is that I am not responsible for changing hearts. The hard part is that I still need to share the good news with others so they can see the possibility. It’s about sharing testimony not forcing God on others. It is sharing the transformation my heart has undergone. It is not telling those I love that what they believe is wrong. God has it under control and I get to participate by sharing the cleaning and restoration that has saved my life.

How do you make some space for God? Are you able to step back and let the Spirit work? Share your story here and breathe ife and bring hope to others.