No Shame

I have to admit, I’m not the best at being open and honest about being a Christian when I’m with people from back home. At AU, Chi Alpha serves as a flashing beacon to all about where your allegiance and affiliation lies. But back home that anchor doesn’t exist.  People don’t necessarily know me as a dedicated Christian, as it wasn’t the case back in high school. And while I’m going back to AU in just over two weeks, that is no excuse for not trying to impact people’s lives now nor preparing for later.

Regardless of what environment we find ourselves in, we can’t be ashamed for what believe in. Just as many of us feel passionately about films, books, music, politics, and want to share our thoughts and beliefs with those around us, should we not add Christ to that list? I certainly struggle with this. It invites questioning and even derision, the former which I worry I won’t give the perfectly correct answer, and the latter just plain hurts. But the fact of the matter is that if we live in a way that precipitates those questions, then we know we are creating an impact on those around us, and one that can lead to some potentially vital conversations.

This brings me to my central thought I’ve been having of late. I cannot be ashamed of being a Christian. No p-p-p-p-p-p-p-peer pressure in our environments should make us less proud to call ourselves Christ followers.  We should know that the gospel can overcome all the external forces trying to push us into different shapes:

^“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (romans 1:16 esv)

I need to challenge myself to not be afraid of labeling myself. I should want people to know my set of beliefs through my actions and through my convictions. A challenge not to shy away from any questions, and not to give evasive answers when asked. Whatever situation I find myself in, I should feel completely okay speaking truthfully and openly.

Let’s follow Paul’s example, and not be ashamed of the gospel, no matter if we are at home, at AU, or anywhere abroad. We can impact whatever community we are a part of. Don't be afraid to answer the tough questions. And more importantly, don't be afraid of inviting the tough questions.

A Joyful Perspective

Last night all the thoughts and theories and mindless meanderings came together to present one coherent, colorful idea.

We have so much to be joyful for.

Leaving small group, I booked it over to the library and diligently (for once) got my work done. As I left, I was struck by the fact that I just wanted to go somewhere. I didn’t want to head back to my dorm, I didn’t want to head anywhere at all, so I just walked. There wasn’t a destination and there wasn’t a time limit, an incredibly freeing sensation that I feel is all too often put by the wayside in pursuit of productivity or advancement of whatever you happen to be working on.  Wandering down the streets and neighborhoods around AU, I was content to just listen to music, look at the sky, and walk.

Entering into these weeks at the end of the semester, the world takes on a breakneck pace, with some of us wondering how we’re ever going to make it through these finals. I find it imperative however, that we take the time to find the joy that is in our lives, not just now, but whenever we can.  The perspective from which we see the world can be greatly influenced by what we search for. And when we search for the joys that God puts in our life, and indeed the joy that is God, will not our attitudes be much better for it?

That said, a Christian walk is not genuine at all without tribulations. These tough times are when so much about our character can be discovered. Yet take strength in the cross.

 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 ESV).

Count it all joy. Everything, the entirety, the whole. There isn't room for anything else in that statement. All of our trials should be filled with the joyous mindset that coming through these things with God makes us steadfast and complete. 

Don’t be discouraged by the various trials in your life. Take refuge in the community that God has provided you, and have peace at the fact that these trials will produce steadfastness in Christ, the one thing that cannot be bound by any of our fears.

There is abundant joy surrounding us. For me that can be as simple as walking down the street listening to music, to art, to creativity that flows from the creator.

So seek the joy in your life. You’ll find it.

                

Real Community

After Thanksgiving dinner my family and I were travelling through the myriad mess of construction known as northern Virginia. Going from Virginia to Maryland, switching one set of relatives for another, along came a rare opportunity to reflect and simply think.  I popped in my headphones and put on some music I hadn’t really heard before.

I was thinking about and thankful for the community of people that have surrounded me in recent months.  The people and the relationships developed so far this semester have made it far and away the best of my time at AU. Then the melancholy musings of a certain Charlie Fink reached my ears: “I’m the flower that you’re keeping / that without love will wilt and die”.  I took the lyrics into the context I was already thinking in, and it hammered a resonant chord within me.

Without love we wilt and die. We know this. Without God’s love and wrath (yes, wrath) and grace we are nothing. But I challenge anyone and everyone who reads this to impart this idea into their relationships around them.  An odyssey with Jesus is not meant to be undertaken alone.  When it comes to the most momentous course of action you’ll ever take, can you honestly trust yourself to do it right without anyone else? As Christians we asphyxiate spiritually in the absence of a loving and real community. If we can't do it by ourselves, neither can anyone around us. We must be a loving body of Christ.  

When it comes to love, bible verses are dime-a-dozen (not to demean the value of any one verse of course). But I go back to our latest brother/sister small group and I can’t help but think that this one verse in particular is picture perfect:  

“Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love” 1^st John 4:8.

What kind of people are we if we don’t try to love all of those we consider part of our community? It's our duty, an imperative action, to attempt and show what a true brotherhood, a true sisterhood is. Let's not let anyone go without the knowledge of God through our love.  

Don’t be afraid to be a part of that community. Run towards it. Be someone to somebody, and allow them to thrive. Love them for who they are, and for who God intends them to be. You might be surprised at the marked difference doing so creates.

I certainly know the effect such a community has on a person.

Because you guys have been that to me.