Tuesday, March 31, 2009


Foolishness with my friend, Anabel.


This past weekend, my brother Brad, picked me up at the airport in Indy. He drove me to South Bend, Indiana, for the interview at the Harvest Show (on LeSea Broadcasting).

We were waiting in the room they call the "green room." It isn't really green, but I think that is the color many people turn while waiting to go on international television.

We were having a conversation with the other author who was to be on that same morning. In walked Kelly, one of the co-hosts. She is so energetic, vivacious, and friendly!

Kelly greeted each of us. She was very approachable. Her interaction with me reflected how deeply our journey had stirred a place within her that she was not yet certain she wanted to delve into.

She quickly began to relay a story of hearing from viewers the week before who had judged her for her 'like' of American Idol. (Those of you who stayed tuned after my interview, saw a bit of this play out on your tv.)

One viewer wrote and told her, "the Bible says, thou shalt have no other gods before me," and that she should not be watching or talking about such things.

Another said, "I thought you were a Christian."

The attitude conveyed by these was not an uncommon opinion from those who have come apart from the world, but separated themselves so completely, that they will struggle to find common ground in which to ever share with non-believers.

I enjoy American Idol. I like to watch the foolishness that unfolds on that show.

I don't agree with the disposition of those who would impose legalism on this front.

I cannot tell you who the winners of most of the seasons are. I do not idolize those who are finalists in any way. I enjoy the competitive nature of the show, the foolishness of those who come but have no talent in this arena, and some of the amazing ability of a few.

Being a fan of this show allows me potential opportunities to relate with those who are unbelievers, and who do take "idolizing," too far.

My salvation is not based on empty legalistic viewpoints or perfection in living. It is based on the Grace of a Savior, who died for me, and drew me to Him, right where I was, full of sin and filth. He set me free from that sin by His blood! He granted me freedom to live.

My ability to convey His love to others will be partially based on my understanding of the culture they live in. How will I ever make the Gospel relevant to them, if I don't know where they are coming from?

While I know the areas of life that I must stay away from, because of my own weaknesses that lead to sin, I also know that if I want to reach people for the Kingdom, I need to understand a bit about their lives.

It is possible to come apart from this world, to not be of this world, and still understand what is happening in it.

Jesus hung out in some places that I could not, because I am weak. Still, there are places I can visit and be a witness for Him. Growth in Him, in each of our lives, will reveal to each of us where these lines need to be drawn. He set a model for us of going where the lost hang out, that we might meet them. That also requires a level of understanding that comes through operating within that culture.

Being a missionary for Him is not as much about participating in some event, as it is leading a lifestyle that reflects Him to others. It is about being intentional in conversation. It is about finding common ground and building bridges to span the gaps.

If we are truly sold out to Him, then some of the things that we might be judged by our brothers and sisters in Christ for doing, are more reflective of their own areas of weakness or lack of depth in understanding the freedoms we do have.

I do not exist to cling to worldly programming or visit worldly venues. I do exist to operate within the world the Lord has placed me in and to bring Him glory in the process. It is my responsibility to help others to learn to do likewise.

If watching a silly tv show provides a platform to bridge a gap, and I have no weakness or predisposition to failure as a result of taking part, then after weighing the options and potential consequences, I can proceed slowly and intentionally, participate in an opportunity, and seek to make Him famous in the process.

This is not a license to sin, but a freedom to understand how Jesus functioned, and to go and do likewise.

I praise my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for who He is, what He has done and is still doing, and my privilege in loving and serving Him!

He is my purpose in life.

brent

4 Comments:

At 12:50 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

AMEN! I enjoyed your interview as well.

 
At 2:14 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well said...and God Bless.
Greenfield, Indiana

 
At 4:57 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Your comments today prompted something inside of me. I agree with you, Brent. We often place OUR convictions or weaknesses on others. About a year and half ago God asked me to give up TV(almost all). This I know was for His purposes and for my own good. Not that I was a big TV watcher before, but, He wished for me to spend my time in other more productive ways. But, what I have tried to stay very mindful of is that He has not necessarily asked that of someone else and it is not MY job to be policing others. That is His job! He convicts people at their own levels in the areas that they need.
I just need to stay focused on ME and my relationship with Him. To be listening and doing what He asks of ME. How many people have left a church or Christianity altogether over a judgmental comment. Although we shouldn't be allowing others to control our spirituality (our focus on Christ not others), it still can sting. I like the way an Elder in our church put it once, "Let's let God do the convicting...okay!"

Lisa
Santa Cruz, CA

 
At 7:28 PM, Blogger Melissa said...

Brent!
Thank you for sharing.
I love reading your blog!
I know you already know what you said but I love this---
"My ability to convey His love to others will be partially based on my understanding of the culture they live in. How will I ever make the Gospel relevant to them, if I don't know where they are coming from?
While I know the areas of life that I must stay away from, because of my own weaknesses that lead to sin, I also know that if I want to reach people for the Kingdom, I need to understand a bit about their lives."

This post just touched me and freed me all at the same time.

 

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