If I were carrying a burden I will be thrilled if someone offered me an option to lay down my load and be free. That will in fact be welcome news and water for my thirst. While that is really welcome often times in human situations such news either comes at a high cost or is just a fantasy yet that is what we as Christians profess to have, this rest. A gift so great we are eager to share it with others.
A couple of weeks ago I witnessed something on my ride on the train to school. I saw a young Asian looking man who to me appeared to be very harmless standing close to one of th doors of the train minding his own business. The next thing I saw was this Asian man responding to taunts by another gentleman who had happened to have found a way to annoy this seemingly peaceful man to the point where he responded in frustration. The poor guy looked so out of character being angry and he looked so angry that I felt his pain. In the moment his demeanor suggested that of someone who would never respond like this ha it not been for this man provoking this behavior out of him. I looked at him and wondered, "does he know Jesus, bet if he knew Jesus he wouldn't be so upset and perhaps wouldn't allow that mans behavior rouse such a response from him. Almost immediately after pondering this question I almost immediately answered the question for my own self, yes I know Jesus but I am not always at peace and my response is sometimes more violent than what I was witnessing so what did I have to offer this man by wondering if he knew Christ. In a moment I stopped to think and wonder what we as people who claim to know the way often speak of this way to others, painting a glorious perfect picture of what other peoples lives could be with the knowledge we have without wondering if we are experiencing the fantasy we are imagining for them.
As I was wondering whether this gentleman knew Christ I was imagining this perfect scene in my head where even if the other gentleman kept pushing his buttons the worst case possible that if he knew Jesus that he would be so filled with joy that he wouldn't be bothered at all. I imagine this immediately without imagining or thinking about it being a process instead of it being an automatic and immediate transformation. The reason I think people sometimes don't take on Christianity or lose interest quickly is because of the seemingly unrealistic automatic transformations people Market when they themselves haven't lived the experience they are market. This especially so when the bible speak of the christian walk as a continuing process. I believe people will respond to the message we carry more pleasantly if we approach them not in a holier than thou attitude but instead humbly asking them to look at your wretchedness and that you are loved in spite of your wretchedness but Christ through a continuous process is making you more loving than the year before, more patient than the day before and just a better person than the day before; that he doesn't get tired or frustrated when we make mistakes and doesn't give up on us when we fail and that this process with it's continuing joy is what you desire for their lives and that it's only possible with christ.
1 comment:
well said Kareem.In my experince, I encountered two people(as a third party)a victim and a culprit, both sitting together trying to make amends. Their issue was narrated to me by the victim as the culprit seemed too ashamed to narrate it himself.After i heard the story i got up and hugged the culprit not because I could relate but because I belived he could change and I backed him with prayers. I have had people criticize in the me for some bad decisions I made. This has made me very empathic and brought me closer to God. God help us all
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