In just a handful of days, I’ll be Albania-bound. Here’s one last pre-Race musing, lacking flow and smooth transitions:
My Earth-Dad recently asked me if it’s hard now for me to be around atheists or my other nonbeliever friends. Without hesitating I said no. They all continued to love me after I re-committed my life to Christ, never asking me to compromise. I had originally cringed internally, waiting for rejection and persecution that is yet to come.
But I don’t try to convert them (their worst fear I do believe). I don’t really talk about it that much actually. They’ve watched my lifestyle change, but it’s a lot of personal action and not too much talk. And it doesn’t affect them directly.
So does that mean I’m doing it wrong?
At what point are we supposed to evangelize candidly versus simply by demonstration?
Maybe we tell ourselves that “being the light” is enough because we don’t want to be uncomfortable (or make someone else uncomfortable) by talking about it.
I’ve heard dozens of times that our testimony is our most powerful tool for evangelism. But it still requires the use of trigger words like “God” and “salvation.” That’s when people start to question our credibility, and maybe our sanity.
I know that Jesus’ last words before ascending were to go and make disciples of all nations. But if someone doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus, they aren’t really a candidate for discipleship.
It’s often easier to tell someone about Christ when we don’t know them. Strangers aren’t privy to our baggage; they get the best version of us. And if they reject the Good News, or us, it doesn’t sting as much. We shrug it off faster: “Oh well, I didn’t really know them.”
My friends and family will decide whether or not I’m a hypocrite because they know both the Old me and New me. They gauge if I’m really all-in, or if this is a phase that will dwindle away, like that slight obsession we all had with Angry Birds.
I’m not sure if they’re clear on the part about how I’m still a sinner and still screw up all.the.time. That I’m not perfect, that life isn’t easier. That Jesus died on the cross for the sins I’ve already finished, and the ones I haven’t thought of yet.
The message is rejected because Jesus doesn’t seem necessary. Maybe people think they’re Heaven-bound because of rituals from infancy, or good works, or frequency with which they attend church services. Or that God isn’t real. Whatever their viewpoint is, they seem happy enough without any of this Jesus stuff. They have jobs and houses and go on vacation. Life is good, why add a crutch to the mix? Why change? Maybe they’d get called out on some lifestyle choices that they don’t really want to part with.
I’m not personally responsible for anyone’s salvation but my own.
I’m not here to judge or scold.
Sure, I’ll be a light. Imperfect and inconsistent, but usually still bright.
Sometimes I’ll feel called to openly share the work that the Lord does.
Sometimes I’ll quietly hand someone a cute little business card with my blog link and let him or her read this on his or her own time.
All I know is that I want to be led by the Holy Spirit in whatever interaction is supposed to happen. I don’t want to shove the Gospel in someone’s face.
But if all it takes is “being a good person,” then what was the point of the cross?
I’m full of questions and light on answers, but this is the me that happens just a few days before launch.
Back to packing, kids. See you all on the other side.
