I go to a physical therapist at least once a week as a part of my continued recovery. Over the past few months, we have chatted about a number of things--weather, jobs, families, etc. But, as I sat with her this morning, I was reminded again how vagueness is killing the church. We have created a culture where we simply don't know how to talk about our faith in conversational ways. And, we often use a really good quote to support our vagueness.
Even Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers fell into this idea on a video I saw recently. Here is the famous quote from St. Francis of Assisi: "Communicate the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words." Sounds good, doesn't it? And then comes the version I heard on the video--and hear all the time. It goes something like this: "Communicate the gospel at all times. Just let your life shine. Let your life communicate the gospel..."
Really? Seriously? My life--your life--is all it takes for people around us to know about God, understand who Jesus is, and begin to incorporate that into their life at all? REALLY? C'mon.....let's be honest. My life isn't that appealing to cover all the elements of the gospel. Sure, I am a nice guy--but destroying a good quote is only a cover for vagueness. It represents our fear of being specific--not a method of effective gospel proclamation.
USE WORDS IF NECESSARY. It is my contention that words ARE necessary. There needs to be an overt link from my actions--however wonderful they might be--and the fact that Christ is the center of it all. The recent study of youth spirituality in the National Study of Youth and Religion tells us that the average teenager has a vague spirituality that they can't articulate in any way. Duh....they get that from us.
My physical therapist is not going to link our conversations about general stuff to the elements of the gospel unless I help create a link....a conversational link. Yes, it is scary, but to think otherwise is to not just hack up a good quote--it is not helpful. So, we have talked about church. I have shown interest in her background, her present family situation, her kids, her questions and listened for her hopes. I have shared some elements of how church and faith have helped me with some of what she has shared. Today, she asked about where I went to church and wrote down the information. Will she come? I don't know. Will her life be transformed? I don't know. I can't control any of that. What I CAN control is creating a link from vagueness to clarity.
How do you use vagueness as an excuse to simply avoid saying something? Are the kids we have contact with understanding the gospel just by being around you? Is your life that convincing? If not, what would it look like to put some words into the formula? Let's keep listening to St. Francis...but be willing to do the whole quote--not just the vague part.
Keep living for Jesus. Use words if necessary!!!
Peace,
Tiger
