The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
(Matthew 11:19)
Over the last several years, this passage has been one that has weighed upon my heart. The life I've lived, up to this point, would be one in which no one would ever say "He's the friend of sinners." I lived a pretty cautious, careful life. While I'm thankful for that and I think it saved me some heartached in my youth, now, as I'm older and more mature, I don't feel as though it's an okay place to remain. As Christ said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17) Indeed, the testimony I bare of a God who came to redeem and rescue his children is one that is most readibly accessible to the sick.
As a result of all this, one of my goals this year is to develop good, strong friendships with non-Christians that I might learn from them and be stretched by their perspective, but also, that through our friendship, they might see something of Christ and a life lived differently because of Christ. So I have built relationships with a group of non-Christians that I really enjoy, but almost every time with them, there's another shock to my system. Things that make me think, "Really? You actually do that? It's not just the stereotype of non-Christians?" For example, we've all sat in a kitchen talking while one roled a cigarette and added marijauna to it. The other night we were sitting around dinner and one of the group told us that she'd been dating this guy for 3 weeks - and while she'd called another in the group to find out how long to wait to have sex with him - she decided to go ahead and so they're having sex. Another friend is planning on living with his girlfriend when he returns to the states this next year for a year to a year and a half to see if the relationships going to work before getting married.
Needless to say, God's constantly putting me in situations where I'm trying to learn discernment and wisdom when and to what I should speak. Many of them have pasts scarred by "religious" people - so I'm working against that roadblock as well. If you think of it, join me in praying that God would give me opportunities.
One such opportunity has already happened. I've always kept my mouth shut when it comes to politics because they're so strongly Democratic and anti-McCain/Palin. I knew that by jumping in to defend McCain/Palin I'd simply feed into their stereotypes of Christian religious conservatism. It was neat, then, that a couple nights ago at dinner they intentionally stopped and asked me for my religous-political views. So, I had the opportunity to share my take on the Democratic vs. Republican party, on aboration, etc. in a really healthy way and one in which they were interested. Thus, I was able to be honest, because they were the ones that initiated.
In a similar way, two of the people in the group have asked to have coffee with me - so I'm hoping that opens up opportunities for speaking into their lives as well.
I'm on this journey of learning to be in the world, but not of the world. It's a road on which, at times, the path seems unclear. It's a journey that brings another surprise around every corner. Yet, I walk this way, knowing that my Savior walks with me, His Holy Spirit is my seal and guide, and the sovereignty of the Father watches over it all. That is the peace, the strength, and the encouragement of this Triune God in the midst of a world that doesn't know him.
(Matthew 11:19)
Over the last several years, this passage has been one that has weighed upon my heart. The life I've lived, up to this point, would be one in which no one would ever say "He's the friend of sinners." I lived a pretty cautious, careful life. While I'm thankful for that and I think it saved me some heartached in my youth, now, as I'm older and more mature, I don't feel as though it's an okay place to remain. As Christ said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17) Indeed, the testimony I bare of a God who came to redeem and rescue his children is one that is most readibly accessible to the sick.
As a result of all this, one of my goals this year is to develop good, strong friendships with non-Christians that I might learn from them and be stretched by their perspective, but also, that through our friendship, they might see something of Christ and a life lived differently because of Christ. So I have built relationships with a group of non-Christians that I really enjoy, but almost every time with them, there's another shock to my system. Things that make me think, "Really? You actually do that? It's not just the stereotype of non-Christians?" For example, we've all sat in a kitchen talking while one roled a cigarette and added marijauna to it. The other night we were sitting around dinner and one of the group told us that she'd been dating this guy for 3 weeks - and while she'd called another in the group to find out how long to wait to have sex with him - she decided to go ahead and so they're having sex. Another friend is planning on living with his girlfriend when he returns to the states this next year for a year to a year and a half to see if the relationships going to work before getting married.
Needless to say, God's constantly putting me in situations where I'm trying to learn discernment and wisdom when and to what I should speak. Many of them have pasts scarred by "religious" people - so I'm working against that roadblock as well. If you think of it, join me in praying that God would give me opportunities.
One such opportunity has already happened. I've always kept my mouth shut when it comes to politics because they're so strongly Democratic and anti-McCain/Palin. I knew that by jumping in to defend McCain/Palin I'd simply feed into their stereotypes of Christian religious conservatism. It was neat, then, that a couple nights ago at dinner they intentionally stopped and asked me for my religous-political views. So, I had the opportunity to share my take on the Democratic vs. Republican party, on aboration, etc. in a really healthy way and one in which they were interested. Thus, I was able to be honest, because they were the ones that initiated.
In a similar way, two of the people in the group have asked to have coffee with me - so I'm hoping that opens up opportunities for speaking into their lives as well.
I'm on this journey of learning to be in the world, but not of the world. It's a road on which, at times, the path seems unclear. It's a journey that brings another surprise around every corner. Yet, I walk this way, knowing that my Savior walks with me, His Holy Spirit is my seal and guide, and the sovereignty of the Father watches over it all. That is the peace, the strength, and the encouragement of this Triune God in the midst of a world that doesn't know him.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.
(1 John 2:15-16)
(1 John 2:15-16)
2 comments:
Hey Sweet Brother! I will be lifting this up! I know that the Father will and is working through you in the lives of those around you. What a joy it is to see you walking with our Father! LOVE YOU!
You are taking advantage of some great opportunities! That's awesome, bro.
Post a Comment