I recently went to a memorial service for the mother of a good friend of mine. She died after a long battle with breast cancer.
She was a Christian….so, I already had a feeling of what the memorial service would be like…and I was almost dead on. (Actually, the Gospel was presented pointedly, but was a bit lighter than I expected)
It actually was a beautiful service and really made me wish I had known his mother. It’s the first memorial service I’ve gone go where I had that thought. There was a passage of scripture read, then a message of hope was given. Just after that, her granddaughter got up and read Proverbs 31 and gave a testament to how her grandmother fit that entirely. Then, we all sang a praise song…and 4 of the granddaughters did a dance to “I can only imagine”…it was really beautiful. There was quite a bit stirring within me…so glad I have the assurance of where I will be, but also sadness and concern at thinking about the paths my friends are on. I sang the song…and actually found myself wanting to raise my hands to praise God during it. I don’t think any of my friends were singing whatsoever.
After the service, we headed back to the house with the family for refreshments (okay, they said refreshments, but it REALLY was an impressive feast). After staying for a while, we took our friend and went to a vineyard nearby.
While we sat there drinking wine…he very suddenly asked each of us for our opinion of the service. He also then expressed how the part with the granddaughter was incredible…but the message of hope portion had pissed him off. He confesses to be a Christian; however, he has some very new age beliefs…and I think he thought the message was narrow minded. He said that he was so upset over the guy talking about the “proof of the resurrection” and I sat there not having a clue as to what to say. I look at him and I see someone so lost…who everyone thinks is just beginning to find his way. I see someone just getting further and further lost as he delves into “energy work”, “intuitiveness”, and other new age/occultic things.
I managed to explain that it was entirely what I expected it to be given that she was a Christian…but with the bitterness I saw…I wasn’t sure what else I could say.
There were other points where there were things I felt I should have said, but just couldn’t find the voice to do so. The fact that I had these thoughts is something I hadn’t realized in a long time. So, baby steps 
But, there was somehow a discussion regarding the old testament and how “violent” it was…and more on why we didn’t need to follow certain things from the OT anymore. I had the thought of trying to explain how much of the OT was a message of salvation, particularly during things like Passover, etc. It really all gave the same message.
There was further discussion on Jews who believe in Jesus and who they believe He is. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get much in on this discussion
But all of this really comes down to. If I believe my friends are on the paths they are on, why do I not do more in hopes of their courses changing?
