Quandaric Honesty

I have had on my heart a bit of a struggle for a while. However, it is only recently that it has come to a head, and I find myself faced with it eyeball-to-eyeball.

For nearly seven years I have been following Jesus, and He has lead me through all sorts of high points and low points, growing me incrementally each and every day (which is all good in my books). However, I have given this post its title because I feel I have a quandary, and yet I must remain up front and honest. So here goes...

My quandary is to do with how I live out my faith and what my "Christianity" looks like. Most people would agree that a large part of Christianity is to 'reach out and save the lost' (citing Matthew 28:20). Still others would agree that Christianity is to do with siding with the poor and the destitute, supporting them and lifting them up. Again others would agree that Christianity is about going into all the world, sending missionaries hand over fist (again Matthew 28:20; Acts 1:8).

My honesty is that "my" Christianity does not look much less feel like that. I do not have a heart for going into all the world, reaching out and saving the lost, and siding with the poor and destitute. Now, what I am not saying is that I am some sort of heartless, compassionless beast. But I want to share with you what I believe is another piece of the Christian jigsaw: Freeing people to be who they truly are.

On that note, who I truly am is not to do with evangelism, missionary endeavour, or going out into areas wrought with poverty. Though I do not ignore these three calls of Christianity, nevertheless who I truly am is in the area of Discipleship: coming alongside the believer and helping them grow in their faith. While some churches are into quantity, I am into quality.

Back to the quandary, the issue is that for the outsider, this might seem like I am not a "real" Christian; that I have a heartless faith and thus not even a true Christian at all. But for me, to enter into the three areas listed previously would seem like "manipulation" to me; becoming something that I am not. Like I said, I do not want to discount evangelism, mission and the poor, and I have the utmost respect for those whose calling lies with them. I am saying that where I am at is an entirely different kettle of fish; that this is who I truly am. This is what my Christianity looks like.

Would love people's thoughts on this one. Let me know what you think, but please do me one small favour...leave your labels behind.

From the Soapbox (Test Match Debut)

For regular visitors, From the Soapbox would seem something of a random thing to stick in a blog...and you would probably be correct. But anywho, From the Soapbox is me coming across a question or an issue, and sticking it up as a post for all to see and discuss. As much as I could write my thoughts on pressing issues (as I often do), I want you guys and gals to share your thoughts with me on Cyberspace, if you wish to do so.

For my first ever From the Soapbox, this is an issue that pulls a lot of heart strings for me. How would you respond to the following quote from Paul Little? Contextual note: The quote is in response to the question of "Wouldn't it be better if God did away with all evil immediately?"

"If God were to stamp out evil today, he would do a complete job. His action would have to include our lies and personal impurities, our lack of love, and our failure to do good. Suppose God were to decree that at midnight tonight all evil would be removed from the universe - who of us would still be here after midnight?"

In Honour of September 11

Six years ago, the face of the world changed;
Six years ago, the world would never be the same.
Six years ago, and it is still firmly lodged in our minds;
Six years ago, and yet it feels like yesterday.

Despite the war on terror that ensued;
Despite the threats of extremism ever looming;
Despite the exchange of words of those in the political realms;
Despite whatever we may make of this horrific tragedy...

Let us never forget
The unity that such a tragedy as this
Brought to humankind.

Even for one day...

Life After College

As I march ever closer toward the completion of my studies, I cannot help but ponder a number of questions. It has been nearly a full three years since I embarked on an academic journey that I never thought I would ever undertake in my life. Nevertheless, here I am, nearly three years on, there is one thing I need to think about, and that is my life after College.

My current plan is this. After the end of November, I plan to return to my current work on a full-time basis. During the time I am at work, I will be using this time to think, reflect, pray, and seek guidance as to the "Where to from here?" question; namely, now that I have this degree, where do I wish to apply myself, ecclesiastically speaking? What Church do I see myself working within? What Church would God have me working within?

At the moment, I feel I need to take a backward step as it were, and examine what changes have occured once I graduate. For at one time, I had no qualification; now I will have slogged three years of my life to attain a Ministry degree, and I feel I need to examine what has changed in my life. I need to seek what new opportunities previously did not exist prior to my studies, and seek prayerful guidance as to what to do with said opportunities. Added to this is the fact that I am getting married in March 2008, so a lot is going to be different in my life, and thus another factor I need to consider.

Much meditation and reflection needed, methinks.