In preparation for analyzing our spiritual life survey I’ve been reading a book called Follow Me by the authors of the survey. (By the way, thank you to the 574 folks who took it. We just got the results and are starting to analyze it and I’ll share some key points throughout the summer.) In one section they mentioned that our souls are like water and we flow toward something. Water always fills in the low spots and it is always on the move (in motion through evaporation or going somewhere).
We are always on a search for something. We crave things. We hunger. Our soul is always trying to flow toward something. Here’s the kicker. Whether we know it or know, our souls always want to flow toward God. Even when we don’t know what it is we are looking for, we are on a search for God. We long to be reconnected with God.
The problem is that we often randomly go after things that we think will satisfy but many of us have stories of the futile cravings, hungers and chases. We allowed our souls to flow toward something or someone that didn’t deliver as promised.
“Evangelism” has gotten a bad name in recent years and for some good reasons. I grew up being taught that evangelism was “soul winning” and trying to persuade people to do something against their will. The church became known as an “in your face” group that was trying to force something down folks’ throats. We came across as very judgmental and superior. Yuk!
But I see “evangelism” in a much different way today. Evangelism literally means “good news” in the Greek language. We have good news. We have found the place the soul longs for. We don’t sit in judgment on others; rather we know where the real hunger, craving and chase are satisfied. That’s Jesus. We simply point people to Jesus who offered the most amazing invitation – “Follow me!”
My whole adult life has been about the joys and challenges of following Jesus. He is worth following. He is bread that satisfies and water that quenches. What we are about – this group called Pantano Christian Church – is to point folks to Jesus. He’s the one who satisfies the soul and to whom our souls naturally flow – that is unless we have convinced ourselves otherwise or the church or the world has made him look bad. All I really want to do in this life is help others to follow Jesus because I know deep in my soul that Jesus will never disappoint. We’ll be disappointed with religion, money, relationships and just about everything you can think of. But our souls still flow toward Jesus.
Together to make a difference;
Glen
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I have sometimes heard people where I work refer to someone negatively or laughingly as a “born-again Christian” as though everyone will automatically understand that the person is intolerant and ridiculous. They are really surprised to find out that I am born again and consider myself an evangelical Christian, not because I don’t speak about my faith or because I do things unbecoming of a Christian, but simply because I try to be loving and tolerant of everyone, even those I disagree with and I don’t pass judgement on anyone.
I think it’s great whenever we have the opportunity to correct the misconception people have about us. It’s amazing to me how my co-workers listen when I explain my beliefs and why I believe what I do. It’s like I’ve earned their respect and trust so they listen. That’s the key—you have to earn the right to be heard by living a life beforehand that makes people want to know more or to hear the secret to your peace.
I am certainly not saying I am anything near perfect, and I think that’s exactly why people can connect with me. I am human, admit it, have a sense of humor, and still try daily to maintain my values without wavering.
My mantra is, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” If it isn’t loving, it’s not Christian. Just because a goose calls itself a duck, that doesn’t make it a duck!