So, I had an unexpected encounter with a JW today. She was the caregiver who came to work to relieve me and she pulled out a JW.Org tract and I told her I knew all about it because my family were part of it and I see it everywhere on their FB. I, without thinking about the consequences, told her that I used to be one and now go to a baptist church. We got into an intense discussion where I told her that we, at the foundation, believe that the only way to salvation is Jesus and he is the truth and with that we can worship shoulder to shoulder and Jehovah would accept us both. She kept going back to celebrating Christmas, believing in the trinity. I asked her if Jesus forgives her when she lies everyday or lusts everyday and she said she saw where I was going. I kept bringing Jesus up as the only way to salvation. And she kept pushing him aside and I kept mentioning that that is the most important thing and he shouldn't be pushed aside. I said that serving Jehovah shouldn't be put in a box and that I am so happy to have the freedom to express my worship to him any way that I wanted. I had this conversation: So, the only way to lose weight is through diet and exercise, correct? Yes, she said. Ok, the only way to salvation is through Jesus, right? Yes. Is there only 1 way to diet? No. Is there only 1 kind of exercise? No. Ok, then there are many ways to worship and many ways to serve, not just going door to door. Helping the poor, clothing the needy. If I even give a cup of cold water to a child in Jesus' name, that is worship. I told her that serving others is our work and she was so quick to point out that we have to serve Jehovah and I quickly said we serve Jehovah by serving others and she admitted that was the commandment. I told about different scriptures and she did not. But she did wish she had her bible.
Now, admittedly, I felt attacked (from the years of my family attacking my faith) and so I became defensive probably to the point that she felt threatened. But she would laugh at me and say "WOOOW" I can't believe you knew the truth (which I quickly said Jesus is the truth) and are choosing a different path.
I hated it because it was like talking to brick wall. I hated it because I couldn't convince her that my worship was acceptable also. I liked it because I spoke the gospel with boldness!
I left there, running, saying to myself that I hate them. I prayed today that God would transform my mind to start to forgive them. But to forgive a species that will not change and will always see me as inferior, that's going to take some effort and a lot of prayer. I did realize that I spend half my energy thinking I am inferior and trying to prove to people that I am just as good as they are.
So 2 things happened from it: I am going to accept that I am good enough, and that I need to forgive them. Once and for all!! And, also, don't engage a brick wall.