I've been thinking a bit about friends of mine who are very, very good people. They are the kind of people I look up to, and they have many qualities that I'd like to cultivate in myself. I love to watch their family members interact...the dynamics in their home are what I'd like to be a part of every day in my own home (at least from what I see as an observer of their lives). The one huge difference between them and us is that they are not Christians.
This difference really bothers me for a couple reasons, one of which is this: they are better people than we are. They contribute more to society, raise their children to be more well-rounded, polite, intelligent, creative individuals, and even seem to be more grounded in their beliefs than we are. Some would say that all of this doesn't matter because they don't know Jesus, but I have to disagree. Their lives right now matter, and they are doing more with what they've been given than I am (even if we don't agree on who gave us what we have in the first place).
Some might also say that this family isn't truly happy, that they don't have real joy, but again I disagree. Of course, I can't know their emotions, but I really think that they are enjoying life and each other more fully than I do on a daily basis.
Sometimes I think I should share my faith with them, but there is no way that I could do so with confidence. Sure, I know what I believe, but how could I ever expect them to trade the life they have now for the one I'm living? Not that my life is bad, but I doubt that they would find it fulfilling.
Somehow, I wish my faith were more inspiring. I wish it was my faith that drove me to be a better person in practical, everyday ways. I'd like to see the church challenging believers to learn and grow and think for themselves, within the framework of faith. Instead, I sometimes feel that we Christians are just cookie cutter images who lack any real depth or drive in life.
This keeps coming to my mind: if this other family and mine both faced overwhelming tragedy, who would survive? Somehow I think that they would work through it and come out stronger on the other side, but I'm not sure that I would. Ugghh. I need to develop my faith so that it can sustain me as well.
And that is just it...my faith, my relationship with God, is underdeveloped. At least this other family has put thought and time and effort into what they believe; so much so that it permeates their lives. I, on the other hand, go to church and read my Bible and pray, but fail to do so regularly enough or with enough passion. Not to mention that their are other aspects of my faith (meaningful relationships with other Christians, to name one) that are missing entirely.
While I know this isn't a competition to be as "good" as the Joneses*, I'm hoping it will provide some motivation to grow in my faith.
*names have been changed to protect the innocent
2 comments:
I think you should listen to some Mars Hill sermons. Peter likes Mars because it does just what you said a church should do. He was sick of the cookie cutter thing as well.
People can work out things in their souls on their own. "soteria" (Phil 2:12) And can be lawful on their own( Rom 2:14)without yet knowing or receiving what no one can do for themselves. There are many jobs that belong to us all, that believers should excel at, such as being good stewards of the earth, feeding the poor, binding up the wounds...People are probably aware of your beliefs; give them a witness using words only when you must. ( was that Augustine paraphased? I think so...)
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