I'm really excited by the conversation that we had in class today--not to mention the fact that we actually got through an entire chapter for a change!
I've really been thinking a lot this week about Donald's friend Penny and how she is probably about as liberal as a person can get and yet she still knows and loves God. I love that she was shocked that Nadine, a Christian, "cared so much about her past and her story." I'm sure there are an awful lot of Non-Christians out there who have felt the same way--that we Christians could give a crap less about who they are or where they come from. I have to admit, I can see why. Honestly, I am frequently guilty of staring right through or around some people. Even though there's not much more that ticks me off than feeling like the person to whom I am speaking is totally zoned out and not paying attention to a word I'm saying, I know I have done it to other people. But, I love that Nadine stopped and listened to Penny and, above all else, cared about Penny and what she'd been through, how she felt, where she was coming from. If she hadn't first treated her with that kind of dignity, Penny would likely have never broken down some of the presumtions she had about Christians. And, if she hadn't done that, she likely never would have come to know Christ. It gives me great hope that Nadine was patient with Penny, that she loved her exactly where she was and she didn't have to shove Jesus down her throat to show Him to her. I'm not equipped to be a door-to-door salesman for Jesus, and I know that I don't have to be. I can show people Jesus without "selling" him. It seems so much more real, so much more authentic that way--and about ten thousand times more effective.
And, I love that when Penny read the gospel of Matthew at face value, without reading anything into it or getting anyone else's interpretation of it, she saw Jesus for what he really was--a humanitarian that loved EVERYONE! And, for the first time in her life she thought he might actually like her. So, here's my challenge to you this week. I would like to challenge you to sit down sometime this week (it will probably take about an hour) and read one of the gospels--Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John--all the way through. Don't try to read anything into it. Just take it at face value, read it for what's there. I think you'll be very surprised by the Jesus that you find when you leave your experiences behind you. Let me know how it impacts you. I'll do the same.
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I think that it is true that there are many people out there that think christian couldnt give a crap about them or what they are going through. it is true there are christian who dont give a crap about anybody else but there are also alot of christian like Nadine in this world who actually care and they are the ones who make the biggest diffrence in the world. i also liked when she said something about how we try to sell Jesus which i think is totally true.
ReplyDeleteSam, I totally agree. One thing I really loved about Nadine was that even though she hung out with "non-Christians" and didnt try to "selll Jesus" to them, she didn't have to become any less Christian to do so. She didn't compromise her faith, she didn't pretend to be anything she wasn't. Gives me much to look up to!
ReplyDeleteKista, I love what you had to say. I always do. I decided to re-visit the book of Mark. I have to admit that I did not read it; I actually listened to it on my way to work on CD. Every time I read about Jesus I fall even more in love with Him. I wish I could be more like Him. It always amazes me how Jesus would put things so simply, yet so many times people; (including His disciples) still couldn't understand what He was really trying to tell them. Yes, he did speak in parables, but they were pretty self explanatory. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Jesus taught about denying yourself for the sake of others. I mean for crying out loud, GOD himself in the flesh came to earth to serve! Why is it then that I don't? Is it because I'm too busy to invest in others, or is it that I'm just content with worrying about myself? It is really sad to sit back and think of all the lost people I know or have at least met that will never come to know Him. The harsh reality is that maybe if I could have just taken some time to get to know them better, listen to their story, and love on them a little they might have met Jesus. I think we can learn a thing or two from Nadine. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!! It forces you to open up your mind and think deeply about what really matters most.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, i did not read any of the gospels. YET!!! :D But i promise that i will. I kinda feel like and i'm not quite sure if this has anything to do with what we've been talking about but, i just kidna wanna say it. I hear people in books and movies and sometimes in real life that say "I wake up and decide that this day is going to be for God" I've tried that. Iwould wake up and say those exact words. And i felt empty saying them. I wasn't making it my own. I think maybe, when we try to "show" someone Christ. we steal the books,movies, or people's ideas on how to do it.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe with Nadine, her main motive wasn't to try and "show" Penny Christ. i thikn it was her way of being a Christain.
Now you ask how htat's different. I'm not really sure if your following, but i think "showing" someone Christ and being a christian is in a way different. Like when you "show" someone Christ, your using the common ways. like bringing him up and i'm not saying that you shouldn't do that, but i think Nadine made it personal. By just shutting up and listening, she made a way bigger impact on Penny then if she would've given her the whole"Jesus died for you" speech.
Once again i'm not sure if any of you followed that, or if it even went with the topic, but i felt like i needed and wanted to say it. :P
- I promise to read the book of Mathew:)-
With the whole selling Jesus thingy, i get kinda ticked off when people say that you shouldn't have to wear a christain shirt or cross necklace to show God. But i've had more "God" conversations with strangers in walmart and at school when i wear a christain shirt. Now i don't think that you should rely on someone coming up and asking you, but still.:B
I was in Walmart like three weks ago, and i was wearing a "got Jesus" shirt. and this old man asked for my help. I don't really know, but i don't think htat he wouldv'e asked for my help if i wasn't wearing that shirt. Just because, when adults see our generation they think that we're all bad kids. and some days and, i don't feel any different then the other kids around me. I don't know if i should..Really not sure if that went with anything either, but i would be overly estatic if SOMEONE would answer that question :~) (o:
Thanks..Sorry for the late response:D