"Ya know, I've been encouraging people today to turn from their sinful ways and receive the strength of Jesus Christ to live a holy life for God. I just wanted to encourage you with that today!"
I naturally smiles and responded, "I completely agree!" just to let him know, I already believed.
Then he kept going, "Christ came to be our Savior and save us from our sins, to give us strength to turn from our evil ways and live a holy life."
I was a little put off, to be honest, that he kept going, so I said, "Amen to that, I believe it, for sure!"
Then he smiles and before he takes off he says, "I just wanted to encourage you to turn to God today."
With that, I just said, "Thanks." Because clearly he didn't understand that I was a believer already.
He left and I thought about what he said and what he did. His approach and what he was thinking in doing so.
I was a little put off by his approach and I'm a Christian, what does that say?
I just wondered, if I wasn't a Christian, would I have really thought anything of his message?
Was it his intention to pray with me before he left, had I been moved?
Was he really going to just speak the truth and trust God would speak to me later about what he meant? That it would change the course of my life...
What if I had questions about his words, as an employee of Caribou, I can't talk about religion, and certainly not with a guest.
Does he intend to follow-up and help me grow closer to God in my walk, had I believed his words?
I'm not saying what he did was wrong exactly, but it just got me wondering how effective we, as Christians are when we witness. Personally, I don't think that approach is really all that effective in America. I'd venture to say, most Americans have heard of Jesus Christ and have a pretty set mind on the whole Christianity thing. They may not know, just exactly how great of goodness and saving grace he has to offer, but is that something that can be shared in a few minutes in a drive-thru? Not to mention, this man's words weren't spoken because God was leading him to, because I don't see why God would have someone preach the salvation message to a believer.
I guess, you shouldn't count on me for Drive-Thru Preaching, rather I'll continue (and strive harder) to live my life with the love of Christ and trust that His light shines radiantly so that others see a difference in me. That they are intrigued with whatever I've got, that they don't and let the Holy Spirit guide my tongue so that I speak with His power and words, not my own.
Drive-Thru Preaching. Not My Thing.
Amen. Here are some supportive quotes from Art Katz:
ReplyDelete"If it’s not God who opens my mouth the things that I speak are vain… even though they may be scripturally correct and well meaning and motivated by goodly intentions."
"There is not a people on the face of the earth more compulsive, more sweaty and grimy in their Christian activity than the people of God. Do do do do. … (campaigns, programs, wearisome nonsense) Getting in the way of God."
"The purposes of God are so intricate, so profound … no man dare presume to go off in his own skull as a self-appointed minister to do what he thinks is good."
"A lot of times we want to do something, even something good… but if it is not from God now, it is not life-giving. It is better to do nothing."
I have heard this kind of 'encouragement' as well... I think it is shallow - I think it is man's attempt to "put in his time" or "do his duty" ... I don't find genuine love in it. I think it cheapens the true work of God. I think it is done by those who aren't willing to actually wait on divine guidance.
Why do we never do things out of God's will? Because we aren't willing to wait on it. We aren't willing to sit - even if for MONTHS - until we hear His voice. We would rather just assume that we know which direction God wants us to go in.
All I can say on behalf of myself and American Christians is I'm sorry God. I repent of this overconfidence in our ability to do YOUR work without YOUR very hand. Let us stop getting in the way of YOUR glory by trying, in wain, to work from our strength and mind. Transform us into sons and daughters who will do nothing apart from Your exact and precise will. Give us hearts that will desire that kind of to-the-extreme committment because it scares me to death and, at times, seems so undesirable. Let me not pray words I'm not willing to live out when You make them possible. Amen.
Ann, so glad you see things in this way. So glad you recognize real and 'of God' vs. fake and 'not of God'.
Ooh this is good! And Rachel's comment too. Whoa, good reading to be had here. I agree and struggled with this with some Christian friends in HS who would often try to "scare" people into Christianity. "You're going to Hell." Was a common quote made and I quickly decided that they were not people I wanted to associate with as a christian because it gave ALL Christians a bad rap. Great thoughts here Anna! see you tomorrow!
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