I was talking to a friend about that really obnoxious Christian personality, (I think you'll know the kind I mean) where they make every utterance you have an opportunity to spout off about why you should either become a Christian if you're not or live in a more Christ-centred way if you are. Now, in theory, I support the offering of helpful coping mechanisms to people struggling. I think that this is a more accurate display of the kind of love I want to live in, more so than keeping the little spiritual and emotional victories that I experience as a result of my faith, "a secret."
I think that this was the original idea behind that whole "being a witness" thing - that it was good and loving to share your faith, that it was important not to let anyone slip through the cracks. The idea, I think was that if you didn't do this, then you were selfish and not displaying good Christian values. I am pretty certain that at this point we have bludgeoned the obvious good intention out of this action. I, as an earnest, really convicted follower of Christ, find people who do this highly irritating and a bad example of my faith, and I am active in my avoidance of being this person.
I was reflecting on what I thought my responsibility was though. Just because I feel as though people have become trite, cliché and sometimes downright annoying in their overly zealous conviction to "spread the gospel", does this justify me to say that there are enough people getting the message across and I don't need to say anything? I think not. What I came to was that I could be saying something. It's not that I want to convert anyone, but it is that I want to say "Hey, I found this thing, I've been buying into the concept of reciprocal, present and real God, and it has changed my life forever."
My question to you is do you find yourself falling into one of these camps? Am I wrong? Have you been a good witness and want to share with me how? Are the witnesses you've encountered really key figures you remember in a positive light? I want to know, because I think it is an important part of being a real person to communicate all the facets of your personality, and for me, my faith is a fundamental feature.
I think that this was the original idea behind that whole "being a witness" thing - that it was good and loving to share your faith, that it was important not to let anyone slip through the cracks. The idea, I think was that if you didn't do this, then you were selfish and not displaying good Christian values. I am pretty certain that at this point we have bludgeoned the obvious good intention out of this action. I, as an earnest, really convicted follower of Christ, find people who do this highly irritating and a bad example of my faith, and I am active in my avoidance of being this person.
I was reflecting on what I thought my responsibility was though. Just because I feel as though people have become trite, cliché and sometimes downright annoying in their overly zealous conviction to "spread the gospel", does this justify me to say that there are enough people getting the message across and I don't need to say anything? I think not. What I came to was that I could be saying something. It's not that I want to convert anyone, but it is that I want to say "Hey, I found this thing, I've been buying into the concept of reciprocal, present and real God, and it has changed my life forever."
My question to you is do you find yourself falling into one of these camps? Am I wrong? Have you been a good witness and want to share with me how? Are the witnesses you've encountered really key figures you remember in a positive light? I want to know, because I think it is an important part of being a real person to communicate all the facets of your personality, and for me, my faith is a fundamental feature.
No comments:
Post a Comment