What is our way?
What is our way as Christians? What is our way as people of faith? Are we sitting on pedestals, looking down on those who do not believe as we do? Are we sitting behind a bench and laying down the gavel? Are we standing behind a pulpit and preaching what we don’t live behind closed doors?
It is unreasonable to think that we don’t all find ourselves in a hypocritical position at times. I also think that we place expectations on ourselves that set us up for hypocrisy and disappointment. We, as believers, sometimes forget we are human – we are like every man.
How can we relate to people, if we make ourselves unapproachable? How can we help anyone if we present ourselves with no issues of our own that they might relate to?
It has always amazed me what people pick and choose out of scripture to abide by. Is our “preaching the word” teaching - is it reaching? Yes, we need to teach and yes we need the word preached – however, most of us are not pastors, priests or ministers – are we?
We are everyday people living in the world and many of us like to pull out scripture to someone we find in need, rather than first – reaching out our hand and heart.
I have never been a fan of living behind God. I believe he lives through us. If what I read is indeed what I know and believe – then it is my hand, my voice and my soul that will touch a person in need far before my academic and personal perspective of scripture will.
If I walk into a small French restaurant in the countryside of France and they speak no English and I spout off my wants in English – I will get nowhere. In fact, in France I will get serious attitude! However, if I learn the language, make an honest attempt to meet the server at their own language – we will come to an agreement and most likely that server will help me understand what I am trying to say – more than me trying to understand what they are saying.
If you believe in the word and you believe in the life of Jesus Christ, then you must also know that he did not live in a Palace where people came to kiss his feet and learn from his wisdom… quite the opposite actually, he traveled to the lost, the hurt, the broken and the damage and he met them with the human emotion of love and compassion.
Wouldn’t we all be better off learning to speak the language of our people before trying to implement the law?