You can be all holy-fied if you choose, but I'm willing to bet an outrageous percentage of people have to work daily to not be judgmental; that's if you're concerned with being judgmental in the first place. Speaking personally, there are more times than not where I have to coral the makings of a theory or an assumption about something before it turns into a solid thought about, whatever. An example of this could be the times where someone would say that they were doing something, usually a form of entertainment, only for God. I would think to myself, I wonder if they praise dance (or any other type of performing art) in their kitchen when no one but God is watching; and I had to immediately rebuke that thought. Although there may be a ton of truth to the Sunday-Service-Worshipper-Only-In-Front-Of-A-Congregation, it's really not my place to spend a few minutes determining whether or not the expression is authentic. Actually, I should be engaging in worship myself instead of critiquing; and most importantly, someone else may be influenced to start a life with Jesus because of the worshipper/praiser/actor (Philippians 1:15-18). I will say though, it's extremely cool to see an individual whose talent clearly admonishes the One who provided the talent, no matter what the platform.
As a life long Oakland Raider fan I say with great joy that the Denver Broncos suck. The best part about them being a terrible football team is that they have a homegrown and media-influenced quarterback controversy between two second string quarterbacks. Still, I have to put aside my devotion to the Raiders and against the Ponies to give props to one of the lack luster quarterbacks, Tim Tebow.
It's a little unfair I have to address him in this manner; the young man is after all a winner. But that was a few moons ago while he was a QB at the University of Florida, a Heisman Trophy winner in 2007, and a captain of the 2009 National (BCS) Football Championship team. I think his collegiate skill is undeniable, but his professional career is still very shaky (partially because he "will play quarterback in the National Football League"). But it isn't his athletic achievements or lack thereof why I shout him out, but it's his uncompromising love for Christ coupled with his determination to spread the Gospel. What's even more commendable is that this fervency for Jesus has been on display since his college days as he participated in severval missionary trips in and outside of the United States (yes, we need missionaries in America, too). And to top it all off, reportedly his lifestyle lines up with his evangelism to a tee. A few days back I was privileged to hear an interview from his former coach at Florida, Urban Myer; who stated that when he recruited Tebow he was so astounded at his display of faith that he secretly did some research (including some covert-type spying) to see if the kid was really really a Christian. His undercover work yielded no negative responses. And as it stands currently, Tim Tebow, armed with a clean jersey and a clipboard, continues to preach with much heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only way to an eternal life with the Lord.
The criticism he has received because of his football skills is pretty negative; but that's justified to some degree. However, the scrutiny he gets for being such a vocal Christian, even though it can be brutal at times; is completely fair. Jesus said in Matthew 10:22 that those who believe in Him and display that belief will "be hated" for being devoted. He goes further in chapter 10 saying that "whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light, and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." He lastly says "therefore, whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." To that end, if we are being the inward and outward Christian we are commanded to be, we should get hated on. On the flip side, if everyone loves you because of your ministry/praise/acting, take an audit of your spiritual life as there possibly some flimsiness. Along with that, it's extremely convenient to allow your ministry to manifest itself in the setting where it is expected and welcomed; a little more thorough if it's done in the streets though where everything is everything. The key is to not get zeroed in on the receptiveness of the audience, but to hold tight to the special assignment given to you and to He who gave it. Because truthfully, the things Tebow does such as have John 3:16 on his eye black and consistently taking camera time to tell about Christ, is a great model we should follow in the common call of evangelism that is for each one of us.
Just an opinion, but I sometimes feel that Christians appreciate the laws that separate church and state, because it relieves them of being a witness to Christ on their jobs with their mouths. Now I'm not asking you to stand in your cubicle and scream out 'repent!' But I do encourage you today to reevaluate your mission work in your own mission field so when you do have the time to speak on it, speak on it. More than likely, you may not be a Tebow or a Kurt Warner, but you are an influential child of God through Jesus Christ in your neighborhood, on your job, and in your family. You might not get a lot of camera time, if you get any. But use your face time with the people you come in contact with daily to reveal God's awesome glory. You might not even have the platform that I have here, but you more than likely have a platform that I don't even know about--so use it for God!
With Jesus everyone is a winner; and what champion hides their trophy?
Peace
No comments:
Post a Comment