"To be one, to be united is a great thing. But to respect the right to be different is maybe even greater."- Bono...from student planner, I guess they come in handy after all.
These first two weeks back at school has really opened my eyes to an issue going on, on our campus. Although we are said to be an "alien" in society, we(Christians, including myself) find ourselves trying to blend in to the "popular" crowd. Now, this brings me to my point. My lunch table this semester is a bit different from mine in the past. My first two and a half years I sat at a generally popular table, but something pulled me away this time. I now sit at a very diverse table, 1 redneck, 1 troubled kid, 1 gangster, 1 really quiet kid, 1 kid who has made alot of mistakes, and some others. One point of that list is the fact of 1. We as a table are 1, but we are all still individuals. Something God has really placed on my heart is to get to know these guys really good, find out what they are about, and share the gospel. I know I want to try and bring to salvation, with the help of God.
I recently have been made fun of because of where I sit, by a "big-Christian" figure at my school. My words to him, "Yeah, I sit at that table, what's so bad about it?" His answer, that really bugged me because of his status, "Ok, I guess your a loser too, like the rest of them." That, my friends, is one HUGE reason it is so hard to bring others to Christ. They see these pronounced Christians treating others like that and can't help but think, "Hey, they aren't very nice. I don't want to be a part of that."
I challange everyone who is reading this, be nice! Simply caring for someone can go so far, and helps when sharing the gospel. If you are nice to your peers, they are more likely to listen, and trust what you are saying.
30Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' 36Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" 37He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go, and do likewise."----- Luke 10:30-37
On Squirrels in the Attic and the Holy Spirit
15 years ago
Great lesson. Think about it this way: if Jesus were in your cafeteria at lunch, where would he be sitting? Sounds to me like you're on the right track. Keep your eyes open for more opportunities to reach out to the poor and needy in your school. And next time someone like that makes fun of you for it, it's a great opportunity to point them in the right direction too.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work.