December 6, 2007

  • You're Being Watched!

    I stopped in the bookstore tonight to pick up a couple more things. I commented to one of the people I work with about how quiet it was. She agreed and then said tomorrow wouldn't be. She reported that the Jars of Clay lead singer was going to be in for a book signing and bring in all the "religious fanatics." She went on to complain that when she sees someone buy a Bible she doesn't even bother asking them to donate to the holiday book drive because she knows they never will.

    I mentioned that I was a Christian and I had donated. She started to differentiate between being "religious" and being "spiritual." Then she made the comment that she is a "pagan" and that she is "spiritual." Unfortunately, she was cashiering or I would have liked to have explored it all some more with her.

    I'm not saying that we all have to give to absolutely everything, but I was saddened by her observation. (I don't know if it is accurate or not. In some ways, that doesn't matter. It is still her perception.) So, did you know you are being watched? And sometimes what we do says more than our words!

    You're being watched . . . . Is what you are showing people a good reflection on God?

     

Comments (6)

  • Again, you're right, Amy... people are watching.  And unfortunately, criticizing for external things which -- if we Christians did the same, we would be called loveless or judgmental.  The thing about giving is that, yes, there are stingy Christians; there are also those, like my wife and I who give generously, even when we don't know how we'll get through financially.  But our giving is tied into organizations.  We're not likely to give for a "counter-top" charity.  So your co-worker would watch us walk away and call us tight-fisted, small-hearted "Christians."

    But it does make me think.  Maybe we ought to give small amounts in public ways if it would help our collective witness.

  • I'm not an e-proper, but if I was I would be giving you so many you could not count. I have told you that you have Gods wisdom in you, and again you shine through. You are a city on a hill so to speak.

    I consider myself spiritual too, but I am a christian. I think alot of christianity has gotten a bad reputation for very good reasons. Sometimes "churches" are not that welcoming to outsiders, or compassionate to those who need it the most. I'm thankful I belong to a chuch that is very welcoming and compassionate, and it sounds like your church is too.

    As for charity, your co-worker cannot judge these things. Some give without signaling the bells in the street, they do it in private, others annouce it to the world. I don't judge either way. Loving others as I would myself is what I am striving for.

    I do like Jars of Clay, I bet the store will be busy.

  • I did give you huge e-props the other day, but I usually stay away from those, Have a blessed weekend.

  • Thank you for posting this.  I always appreciate this sort of reminder.  People are always waiting for a Christian to fall in order to point it out as if it were proof not to be a Christian.  It sucks for a couple reasons.  First, its illogical since not to be a Christian because "Christians are hypocrites" does not match up when you ask, "Well can you believe that Jesus was real and that what is said of him is true?"  Because if you can believe that, you can still be a Christian even if human beings are hypocrites. 

    Second, that becomes one of those challenges I have had to take on in my life, where if I think Christians should live a different way, with love, respect, and honor to God, then I am exactly the person who needs to be a Christian and involved in the lives of Christianity in order to be a difference.  That IS my intention.  My intention is to interact with Christians and challenge ourselves to be an example of Jesus to this culture that looks at us in a house with glass walls.

    I will say shortly, and probably brashly, that I think we ARE all spiritual and not all religious.  I do agree with her on that matter.  But that is a whole other topic indeed. 

    Thank you again for posting this.  It really was great!

  • do i know i'm being watched ? YES.....especially by my neighbors!!

    And sometimes what we do says more than our words?  YES

    Is what i'm showing people a good reflection on God?   I PRAY SO!!!!

  • I think it's great knowing that we are being watched, it's amazing accountability then from many, both our Christian frends and our non-Christian friends.  When we know we are being watched, it makes us think about how loving, kind or patient we are coming across.  Do others see us acting out long suffering or do we want everything to happen right now?  Do others see us showing Jesus' kind of love to those who are stinky and cast out by many?  Do others see us as selfish or taking time to reach out to others?  I think that showing the fruits of the spirit is much more important than whether or not we put money into a container at any store?  Just being kind to your unsaved fellow worker and taking the time to care about and pray about things that are going down in her life, would be what counts for eternity more, I think.  I was in Inter-Varsity too. What college was your group at?

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