Noticeably Missing
The podcast title “Changing Our Mental Map” sounded intriguing. It was an episode on one of my favorites shows - Hidden Brain. The nearly two hour podcast was indeed very interesting. Story after story was laid out as one person after another was actively working to make changes as they sought to find peace, purpose and calm. They continued to look toward what would meet their needs even though they continued to feel unsettled and unable to accomplish their goals.
Noticeably missing from all of the stories was anyone looking to God or Christ to fulfill them. Sadly they each continued to miss that it is only through Christ that peace, purpose and calm can be found. This is the way of the world.
With the recent passing of Dolly Parton, her story became an expanded segment on the evening news. I listened to the report about her life accomplishments from growing up in poverty and becoming a country superstar, a businesswoman, an actress, a philanthropist and more. Family, the report said, was what was important to her. I waited and listened but it never came. It was disappointing. Absolutely no reference to her faith in Jesus Christ.
Has it changed? Is Jesus more tabu today then in years past? It may seem so. In reality, this has been a theme in Jesus’s story since before He was born:
- The pregnancy was shunned by society.
- As a baby King Herod tried to kill him.
- He was considered an outcast, not welcome in His home town.
- Religious leaders plotted against Him.
- Judas betrayed Him.
- Peter denied knowing Him.
His teachings then as today were controversial. Even so, it was the boldness of His followers that lead to the world being changed. Without that boldness Christianity would not be what it is today. Yet it does not end there with his followers actions as documented in the New Testament.
In the same way, we too are called to speak out for Christ.
We read this in Mark 16:15:
“And then He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.”
We also find this in Act 1:8b:
“And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Maybe the most clear mission is given to us in Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20. Speaking to His disciples just before ascending to heaven He said:
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
What He doesn’t ever say is to keep our faith quiet. We are not told to spend our time avoiding speaking about Him. Quite the opposite. Applying these verses calls us to boldly live our lives sharing our strength, hope and experiences with those around us being unashamed of Christ’s story and our own.
We are also instructed to be prepared and careful in our communication. Peter wrote these words to the Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor:
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15-16
Our challenge is to look for opportunities daily or weekly to boldly speak for Christ being ready with our reason for hope and sharing our story kindly and gently.
JW