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.
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8 comments:
You know your faith. That is the important thing.
I will also seem like "not a real Christian" to many people due to a few things, some like you mentioned. But I know my faith is there, it is making changes and I will do what I can in the areas I see needing effort. Personally and otherwise.
Just continue to do your best and anyone that complains .. well, it's their problem.
I think to be a christian means to have faith in Jesus, it's all it requires if we're talking about absolutes
Avron and Andrew - two very awesome comments there. Very encouraging for where I'm at. Thank you both.
To build on your comment Andrew, what you say is very true. But there are those who are incredibly passionate about what they do (Evangelism for example), that they tend to look down upon those who are not doing what they do. This to me is the fallacy of Western Christianity. As Ravi Zacharias once quipped: "The danger of a Western perspective is thinking that if something isn’t neatly packaged, it’s no good. And unfortunately, some Western Christians think that unless a person says the creed just like they do, they don’t know God."
I could go on till I'm blue in the face, but I think I will let that be subject matter for a future post.
y'know... it wasn't your talk of labels that really struck me but the whole conversation about quality and quantity.
It actually really grates me when people start talking about numbers. I can't help but feel annoyed that people care more about growing the church size rather than growing the church maturity.
amen brother. amen
I was reading your blog on wednesday and i wanted to think on it for a while, and i think its great that you know your own faith so well, this is to be encouraged.
for some people its important to have a future set out for them, to know exactly what it is they are destined for, i think its great that you are in a place that post-bcnz you can take time to reflect on what God wants for you.
My advice, take all the time you need and pray, and search the will of God.
But hey, your already doing that huh.
Also, Big ups to Lani and her comment
Amen indeed! The whole 'numbers thing' gets up my nose.
Sounds like your an exponent of the good old self-help gospel! Toni Robbins would be proud... lets walk on glass!
Spanky - I have no idea how you came to that conclusion, but nothing could be further from the truth.
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