Hey there,

Let me be candid; I would love for you to realize God is looking to have a relationship with you. I would love for you to say, “Yes.” I know, however, that candor does not answer one’s suspicions. 

“Are you trying to convert me to your…?” You protest. (Most of the time, the problem is in what comes after the ellipsis.) 

Some people have joined cults, political parties, conservative movements, religions, churches, clubs, and associations; and yet never said “Yes.” to a relationship with God on account of Jesus the Savior. I get that you’re trying to avoid folks who are trying to convert you in the political, nationalistic, or fanatical sense. You’re right to do so. But since it would be untrue to claim that I am not trying to convert you, perhaps it follows that I explain what I mean when I say conversion.

Have you ever had a person you look up to? There’s the change that happens when the relationship is from afar - you do your best to learn about the person and, usually, you emulate them (or what you believe them to be). I would like to draw your attention to how this differs from the change that happens when the relationship is not from afar; when it is in close proximity - not just with someone who has given you access, but vulnerability as well. Here the change is derived from access to both their strengths and their weaknesses. Also, what you emulate is likely to be more true - you’re seeing those strengths that are actual strengths (not some curated “best of”), and you’re learning what lies beneath or undergirds their skills and emulating that. But like we said, you’re also seeing those cautionary tales, you’re seeing the rough edges, you’re learning what not to do. 

This closer,  more intimate relating with God and with God’s children is what God is inviting you to. 

God is not asking you to be converted outside of the organic change that happens in a healthy relationship. In other words, we don’t talk about conversion to become a Christian. We don’t talk about conversion therapy to become acceptable to God and to God’s people. The most sustainable changes we make are born out of the agreement of our whole selves - spirit, mind, and body. Relationship that is real allows us to “see” what needs to change, “feel” what it would be like to live a different way, “chose” to be like an actual person (not a caricature, or idealized version of one), and “do” our best with divine support.

Now that you know in what way I am trying to convert you (namely, not at all - at least not in the first place), let me reiterate. I would love for you to realize that God is looking for your hand of fellowship. God wants you to take His hand and walk with Him.