Do We Have This Right?
| May 24, 2010 | Posted by kathym under General |
I’ve been in the Church for almost 35 years. I think about where we’ve been, how far we’ve come, and where we are going. I am not suggesting I have the inside information on this. It’s just how I think.
I have been wondering how well we’re doing in reaching the world for Christ. I have been accustomed to the message of the Good News in primarily intellectual applications. We are a communication culture rich with books and classes and seminars. Nothing wrong with that. Certainly many are reached this way.
But, how did Jesus reach people? And how did He tell us to reach people?
I enjoy discussion and reading and classes. I am an audio learner and can listen to teachings for hours and grasp the concepts being taught best this way. However, I have experienced more growth through what has been “caught” than “taught”. I can’t remember too much about the books I’ve read. And there are only a handful of one-liners that have stuck with me over the years in the realm of a sermon or a class.
What has stayed with me is when you gave me a cup of water or visited me when I was in distress. It’s when you lowered me before Jesus so He would heal me. It’s when you turned the other cheek when I slapped you. And went another mile with me when you had so much else to do.
See, it’s not what we say it’s what we do. Talk… well, it’s cheap.
If we are primarily appealing to the intellect, perhaps we are missing something very big. Because I find that people respond well to the kinds of things Jesus preached on the Sermon on the Mount. It reaches into the heart. God talks a lot about our hearts. We shouldn’t minimize or dismiss this. It’s how God reaches people.
The astute Priest knew the Law and offered up sacrifices.
The privileged Levite assisted and served in the Tabernacle.
Yet, both walked by the injured man on the side of the road.
It’s beyond “who is my neighbor?” It’s how this injured man was affected by the compassion, care, and concern of the Good Samaritan. And Jesus uses him as the example of the one who loves.
When you are vulnerable, a pat answer doesn’t help you. When you are suffering, you don’t always need advice no matter if it is scripture. Our intellectually minded, goal-driven culture has equipped us to have a solution for nearly everything and mostly in the form of following steps or setting a goal.
The Samaritan did not question why the injured man was out at that time of night or why he was on that side of town. He didn’t offer his intelligent knowledge to the situation. He stopped. He took care of his wounds. He brought him some place to be taken care of.
Now. How do you think this injured man, who was robbed and left for dead, felt with such love? Especially coming from his enemy, the Samaritan?
I think our perspective in reaching the world for Christ needs evaluating. I think we fall short. I think we need to let ourselves be bothered by some extra miles.
That’s the way Jesus told us to do it.
Didn’t He?
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Good message. I look around my Church and community and notice how much of the time it’s through actual deeds that effect people and their outlooks the most. Let’s face it, very few people have their beliefs changed simply through discussions over the internet and the like (I’m the exact opposite in that I need to read something in order to remember it). It’s how people are.
People are more effected through actual events in their lives because then it becomes real and personal instead of some abstract discussion. It’s why we support the Christian clinics in our community because giving personal time, skill, and attention (the best kind of charity) will reach people in more ways than any logical discussion or throwing money at a problem ever can. Heck, it’s exactly why atheistic and secular organizations are taking up the charity banner – personally reaching out persuades.
Thanks so much for your reply. Sounds like we’re on the same page.
Something that has occurred to me as well is that we are being shaped (ie; Potter/clay), not educated by God.
It’s a whole different way of doing things than how Western thought would do it which is typically to target the intellect. That shaping occurs in such a way that we would miss it if we weren’t looking for it. And that shaping detours around my mind and goes to my heart. There is where the change happens (even tho I understand the whole renewing of the mind thing) and I believe, makes us more apt to connect with people on another level, not just throw a book or video at them (easier). When we are affected deeply within, we naturally exude the same with others. Why? We’ve been touched in such a way that we cannot help but touch others.