I had the opportunity tonight to talk to a blast from my past. Ever get to talk with a friend that you haven’t talked to in at least 10 years? I’m sure many of you have experienced something like it via Myspace. Am I really getting to the point where I can say, “10 years ago I remember…”
It was great to catch up but it bothered me some to hear how things are going for him. My old friend has gone through some tough things. I’d rather not get into the details but there are some big struggles and life has beaten him down. But what truly bothered me was not what he has done but how Christians have responded to him through this time in his life. We all would like to say we would show grace and love to anyone but would we? How would we act if we were in the same room as a homosexual? What about a woman who has just had an abortion? Or a guy who just can’t kick his coke habit. Are we brave enough to be Christ to them? To share the REAL Gospel. You know, the one that is about a Savior who comes to SAVE and change lives and turn what we know upside down.
Thinking about this tonight has got me thinking of many things. Why is it that when we really start looking into the lives we live as Christians it seems to be very far from the way Christ lived and what the Gospels are truly about. He loved those who no body gave the time of day. And he despised those that thought they had their lives together. And it begins to disgust me that I fall into that horrible trap. Worrying about finances, looking for a new home, how good the sermon was, who is coming to the party, finding the perfect car, taking another trip, thinking about having kids, showing another baby picture, making sure the family is happy, running another errand, and having the right outfit are some of many things that seem to consume our lives. Isn’t it amazing how we can get so into the groove of life that one day we look up and our lives are consumed with so many things…but nothing eternal.
I’m sad tonight because when I look around I see good Christian’s lives but I do not see dangerous messengers of the Gospel of Christ. I’m not talking about being a martyr. I’m talking about the willingness to not be perfect. Holding the hand of a stranger and crying with an old friend. You know what’s funny? As I finish writing this blog entry I in some ways feel like I’m “over the top” or “radical” with these thoughts. And then I realize maybe those fears are the very things that have kept people from loving my old friend and crippled him from finding Freedom for his heart.
I hope this got you thinking more than give you answers. And any thoughts you would like to add would be great.
SB
