The author's simple point was we ought not live our lives for the sole purpose of being excellent nor for the sole purpose trying to evangelize. Both are amiss. Instead, we might live to be excellent what we do because we know we represent Christ and desire to live a life of worship and thanks to him. Therefore, it would be through our "faithful presence" that opportunities will arise in which we may share the hope, peace, joy, and salvation we have in Christ.
It made me think of when Paul said he worked so hard to be ALL things... to ALL people... so that by ALL possible means... he MIGHT... save SOME. That seems like an awful lot of ALL-ness for only the potential of a small return. Doesn't it? But, maybe this was Paul's way of saying he was committed to be a faithful presence wherever he may be, whomever he may be around, whatever it might demand, so those around him might see and experience the presence of Christ through him.
Isn't that the example of Jesus, too? Wasn't he a faithful presence of his loving Father,only saying and doing what the Father instructed?
Here's a hard and humbling word picture God has challenged me with on so many occasions (including recently):
Who ran to Jesus? Who sat with him for hours while he spoke? People. Yeah, we could call them "sinners" but really they were just people like you and me, looking for peace, healing and love. So, when was the last time "people" ran to you or sat down to listen to you while you shared of your heavenly Father? Or, when was the last time "people" ran to our church to sit for hours while shared of Christ's life and his love for them? Until we experience the response Jesus evoked in "people", we still have something else to learn about living a life of faithful presence.
I am so humbled by that.
No comments:
Post a Comment