Happy Christians - 24/7?

My thoughts from the Michael Simpson conference: by Janet Harwood

I am the type of person that needs to put on a "face" of always being happy, always doing the right thing, always having it all together. So when my 9-year old daughter asked me two weeks ago if I had ever stolen anything, I immediately responded with an emphatic "of course not!" because I didn't want her to think that was acceptable behavior. Well, that isn't the whole truth, since as an elementary student I "borrowed" something from another student's desk just to see if they would miss it or if I could do something and get away with it. Of course afterwards I felt terrible and wondered at even that early age what kind of person I was becoming. It left such a lasting impression on me that I don't remember ever taking anything again.

Michael Simpson talked about how even if we haven't had a terrible past, we have all experienced emotions that non-Christians can relate to. Everyone has feelings of inadequacy, fear, guilt, etc. When Christians act like nothing affects them and they have it all together, that is not relatable to people. We come off as looking fake or not realistic. What we need to do is talk about how we have experienced bad things in our life, but because of our relationship with Jesus, He has helped us overcome our fear, guilt and shame. We still experience the pain of this world, but know the hope and joy of being a new creation in Christ and that He forgives us for our past acts and allows us to live by grace, not by putting on a false front of works.

Well, that is what I should have told my daughter. Yes, I did take something, I felt terrible about it, and even though it happened 30 years ago, I still remember it. Thankfully God has forgiven me, and now I am free to not ever do that again. I think she can relate to that, and hopefully not make the same mistake. Just as I hope non-Christians will be able to better relate to me once I'm willing to be vulnerable and open up to them about what it is REALLY like to be a follower of Christ.

What do you mean by Christian?

Billy Graham? Tony Dungy? Jim Baker or Jimmy Swaggart?

Unfortunately, a lot of Americans think negatively about Christians. Many people relate a scandal, a painful memory. or just associate negative media accounts to the "label" Christian.

Michael Simpson, in his book Permission Evangelism asks the question "What are you?" here is a quick quote from the book that really struck a cord with me.

"Like it or not, the word "Christian" has been poisoned in America. It is not a word that we should abandon, but that word will never save anyone. That word will never draw you closer to anyone but another Christian. When you have earned the respect of another person, claim what you will, but until then be wary of Christian argot that closes relational doors. Sensitivity does not presuppose that you compromise your faith.

When someone initially asks me if what I believe, I rarely declare that I am a Christian until I know a little about that person's belief system. Shocked? Let me explain why. Until I know the person's preconceived notion of Christianity, I risk branding myself with his or her potentially incorrect perception and abruptly ending the conversation. I have replied "I believe in Jesus Christ," "I have a personal relationship with God," and even, "I am a reformed antagonist," just to get the conversation started. All too often, a response of "I am a Christian" put an end to a conversation with someone who was certainly interested in spiritual things.(p32 Permission Evangelism by Michael Simpson, Cook Publishing - 2003)"

To me, this reads as a simple; Think about engaging conversations, not ending conversations.

I look forward to any comments on this...I found it humorous when Simpson goes on to say, the people that get most upset with this approach are usually Christians. Look for more in my next post, "Never hide your faith!"