Holiday at the beach?

We were used to spend a week or 2 at the beech with my family and my mother, sister and her children. This year I feel it is not right to go there because of all the nudity. This breaks a long standing family tradition and causes quite a bit of dissent with my mother.
Yesterday I asked God for some further confirmation of my stand and I happended to listen to Vance Havner on
"Getting used to the Dark" where he mentioned exactly this thing.

What is your take on this?

well, i haven't heard that message but have been subjected to quite a bit of dissent from relatives when choosing to honor the Lord. i hope to never go swimming in public again either, and this and many other things that God has graciously changed in me is an issue with my blood family. i was just remembering last night about when i wouldn't watch tv with them and it was all weird and they were insulted. things were tense, and way awkward.

but who will we love the most? stay strong in your convictions, bless the name of the Lord that He would delight in you enough to give you this burden! wow, what a wonderful Love He is.

please don't go to the beach, you will regret it in so many ways. SO many ways.

i will pray for your strength. i am joyous over your heart to honor the Lord, may He be glorified in you.

What is your take on this?

Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is ALWAYS the right thing to do, regardless what others think.

It may encourage you, but Paul Washer says he will not go to the mall for similar reasons... With summer coming on, I also may limit my shopping for this very reason. To accomplish this locally would be to go really early in the morning (Wal-Mart is open 24/7) or make my stay in the stores very brief. One can also shop online which might even be a better option.

Blessings,
ginnyrose

Dear Narrowpath,

I can relate to your situation. I've had to take a stand with people I love, both family members and friends, and it is indeed difficult and often puts a distance between us which is grievous. I confess that I haven't always handled things perfectly either. I strongly advise you to seek God as to allowing His Spirit to work in and through you as you deal with your family. Take care to demonstrate humility and patience--longsuffering is a better word.

These situations must be handled in a spirit of love, and not of condemnation and judgement. Let the Spirit work as you demonstrate your greater love for Christ as you obey Him. Pray for your family, that God would open their hearts to His truth, and that God would use you for His glory, and that you would be sensitive to the leading of His Spirit. Remember, God's timing is not at all like ours. Even His timing in showing you Vance Havner's message. That is a powerful message, and timely, I listened to it in recent weeks. That was such an answer to your prayer. God is calling you to this work with your family. Do not grow weary. I encourage you to lean on Him, and not on your own understanding.

As an encouragement to you from my own experience: I took a stand with one dear friend, after which we were at odds, though we saw each other from time to time--there was always this chasm fixed between us, but several years later, I got a phonecall. She had come to the end of herself and I was the person she called, because she knew I had found peace apart from the world. You could have knocked me over with a feather!! She is now in a strong and growing relationship with the Lord. Our God is so amazing! There are other examples, and I am still hoping and praying for others.

Also remember, no matter how loving and kind we are, people under conviction of the Spirit often confuse it with being under the judgement of the one who spoke the truth to them. Truth separates people: once it is presented, people must accept it or reject it. It forces them to choose a side. The Word of God's truth is the "sword that divides." It is not an easy place to be, especially with family members.

My counsel is to love your family and pray for them, but choose to follow your Lord, even if it means separation on holiday. Perhaps you can ask them to consider other options. Be sure they know that it is the venue of the nude beach that is keeping you away; that they understand that you desire to spend time with them, just not at a nude beach.

As far as it depends on you, be at peace with them, but not at the expense of your convictions. If they are not born of God, they will not understand; but be loving and patient. God may be using this for His purposes. Trust and obey.

I believe what Holly said is the truth of these words of Jesus playing out:

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be the members of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." Matt10:35-38

His truth divides us out from this world and from those who love the things of this world. We must continue to demonstrate His love to others, including the people we love the most, but never compromise our relationship with Him in order to maintain peace with others.

"I will give heed to the blameless way. When wilt Thou come to me? I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart. I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil." Ps101:2-4

Praying that God will give you the strength to stand firm and hold fast! I praise Him for growing you into His holiness. He will equip you for every good work. May He bless and keep you and shine His light upon you as you seek His face. Please keep us updated, that we might both encourage you and that you might encourage us, as you already have.