I was between audio books this week .... so I spent a bit of time listening to "music" in the car. Whenever that happens, I end up being very reflective about my music selections and tend to have a few more flashbacks than normal.
When I was new to the corporate telecom world I was asked to participate in a product test for partnership with the Christian Broadcast Network. I'll give you a moment to think about that - two things that don't go great together (unlike peanut-butter and chocolate) are telemarketing and Pat Robertson. The basic premise was this: If one of the nice little old ladies (that sent the 700 club money every month anyway) would just sign up for "CBN Phone Reach" aka MCI Telecom d.b.a. Telecom*USA ... the big bad phone company would shell out 10% of their bill back to Pat and his never ending parade of evangelical newsmakers.
I mention all that to set the stage for one of those quasi-adolescent super spiritual holier than thou fantasies. You know the kind that I'm talking about ..... you single handedly win some famous person to Christ, perform a Moses-level miracle, or do serious battle with level-3 demonic horder with only your Christian t-shirt and heavily highlighted KJV. I'm pretty sure that I was (for the most part) over this need for approval phase of my life, but the idea of getting to dramatically demonstrate my faith to my corporate peers had definite "altar-ego" appeal.
A little way into the project, It was obvious that the team I was training/coaching was likely to set some serious sales records (not to mention a record for sex line fraud claims). This was playing right into my master plan. The team could all run up to the stage at the next presidential awards ceremony to recieve their awards to the way-cool grungy "Jesus Freak" by DC Talk. But I digress.....
Tonight - as I was listening to the 'Jesus Freak' album I remembered my vision of tent-maker glory and felt sick to my stomach. The music is still cool - but now I know that it wouldn't save anyone ... no matter how cool the concert t-shirt and WWJD bracelet were. Still I wonder if I've slipped to far the other way. Rarely do I find myself in a place to share my faith. I'm much more balanced in my approach and I probably leave a better taste in those I share with, but it so rare that I find myself in an opportunity - I wonder if it's me hiding my light under a bushel.
7 comments:
I don't know about hiding your light but tonight (at the other end of shawnee mission parkway) I had my cd player blasting out a different tune...
"you can tell by the way I walk I'm a woman's man no time to talk...ah ah ah ah stayin' alive, stayin' alive."
I bring this up only because I almost blogged about it and how after riding with my folks this past weekend and all 5 of us, the kids, mom, dad, and me jammin' out to stayin' alive in the van it will always be one of my favorite memories with all of them. It was great! :) Music with the right memory is AWESOME! :)
*****
But the flip side, it's sad that we aren't out there "street witnessing" like we use too. I don't know if everyone finds themselves in this place or if you and I, dash are just too jaded by experiences from the past to have that same youthful...let's conquer the world outlook on life that we once had. ??? Makes you wonder. If it makes you feel any better, my folks think you are a better Christian then I am! :) You have a better report card I guess! LOL :)
The problem with most witnessing techniques are that they are too impersonal and feel like sales pitches.
Also, I loved Jesus Freak when it came out. It was not really a witnessing tool, though.
I had a conversation similar to these thoughts. This person had an experience with AA. They add members not by promotion but by attraction. This made me think that it would be a better approach to win people to attract them to God, the Gospel, church, rather than promoting or defending our idea of God to them. As far as street witnessing or things, I feel badly that I don't do it, but there's also a point where you have to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and trust that kind of direction in your life to influence the people who actually KNOW you and what you are. It's an interesting idea to think about.
I think with witnessing, it helps if you have built a relationship with the person.
I don't let my light shine as often as I should.
My shining light escapes through the dark Wednesdays of my soul, I do not let the warm yellow glow abide inside.
dude, I'm a gourd.
In unrelated news, I will be using my MBA training to set up a business with my $______ paycheck that will make money off of charity contributions.
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