Being intentional
Having recently begun writing the Asked Questions BLOG, I have also looked to extend my online network of ‘friends’. I deliberately choose to invite contact from those whom I anticipate might find my writing helpful in one way or another. This involves being selective, researching profiles for clues as to where folk stand biblically. You may feel that I am being discriminatory, but whilst I certainly hope to be spiritually provocative, there is no point in confronting people who aren’t likely to be receptive. Just how intentional we are about our online profiles will vary from one person to another. But how we describe ourselves (if indeed we do provide this information), what we post, and who our ‘friends’ are will represent our virtual presence, just as how we dress, speak and conduct ourselves demonstrates who we are in the physical world.
Being purposeful
Why are these things important? Because if we are committed Christians, then we are ambassadors of the Kingdom of heaven – commissioned representatives of the King. How we conduct ourselves, whether in person, online or in any other domain, is important. After his resurrection, Jesus told his companions: “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15). We recognise this as the Great Commission, a calling that was not just for the first eleven apostles, but for every follower of Jesus. Surely it is our duty to do all in our power to fulfil this command. For most of us, this won’t involve travelling to distant shores but rather being his witnesses in our own locality and sphere of influence. Those who do go overseas need to learn the language, culture and customs of that country if they hope to be able to have any impact. This is serious work, requiring dedication and commitment. Surely we need to be no less purposeful and wholehearted if it is God’s intent for us to remain where we are; no less considerate of the sensitivities of others, and no less attentive to reaching those who are placed in our path – whether in person or in the virtual space.
Telephone contacts
Every interaction we have is an opportunity to reflect who we are, but also whose we are. Most of us are polite and courteous when speaking to someone on the phone; we recognise that what we say, and the tone in which we express this, is all the other person can tell about us unless they know us well personally. Have you ever been in regular telephone contact with someone that you have never met in person, and then, when you eventually see them, discovered that they don’t look or behave how you had imagined they would? As Christians we should be authentically Christ-like, no matter in what form we are expressing ourselves.
Sweetness and light
In 1 Timothy 3:7, Paul refers to the need for church Elders to have a good reputation with outsiders. This may seem a little strange as a qualification for a church office, but it speaks to a situation that we can so easily face today. Some people are all sweetness and light when with other Christians, but quite different when interacting outside of that sphere. Who we are is not the person that others see when we are on our best behaviour, but what we are like at other times – when at home with family, dealing with subordinates at work, or in competition with others. We may all be stressed from time to time, but that isn’t any excuse for abrupt or devious behaviour.
Speaking up
How we communicate is really important to how we are perceived by others, but so is what we say or share. We can be genuinely Christ-like, but fail to acknowledge our motivation when there is an opportunity to do so. Some time ago, a compliment was made to my wife Jean at the supermarket; a member of staff said that she looked like an honest person. Jean responded very naturally, saying that it was perhaps unsurprising that her appearance should reflect the fact that she had been walking with Jesus for a long time. It would have been so easy to just say thank you, but on that occasion, she was able to respond with something that was both true and meaningful. Jean has no idea how her reply was accepted, as it was an in-passing comment, but it was likely to have made some impression. We each need to be prepared for such opportunities to share something of our belief and motivation, as we find outlined by the apostle Peter: “…. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15). But we should also note the next verse where Peter tells us that we must do so with gentleness and respect.
Opportunity
Most of us find it difficult to think on the spot as Jean was able to on that occasion. Others are just wary of engaging in conversation about Christian faith. There are various reasons why we may feel that way, not least a fear of stirring up a reaction that we might not know how to handle. This is totally understandable, but not something that is faith-filled! When we stick our necks out in witnessing to Jesus, we don’t do so on our own (if we are walking in the Spirit); the Spirit of God is with us, and he will give us the words to say if we will only listen to him.
Let’s be those who seek to live our lives according to what we truly believe, and who are equipped and unafraid to speak up as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. We shouldn’t be passive about this – we can ask God to give us opportunities and to make us sensitive to such openings. Let me leave you with Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:7 –
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”