lost in the jargon…

Let me start this by saying, I am a believer, I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and that he died for my sins. I believe there is life after death. I believe the bible is the word of God. But when I saw this, I was surprised at how many of the “Christian jargon” terms caused me to roll my eyes. It’s like when I hear them, I feel like they are a method to put the speaker a step above me. Please don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying that’s what the speaker intends, I’m saying that’s MY interpretation. If this is my interpretation as a believer, just think what non-believers may be thinking.  Sometimes, well intentioned Christians use these terms and, instead of bringing together, they cause a divide. “Look at me, I’m a deeper person than you, I have a connection that you don’t, my way is so much better than yours.” Yes, I know I said “my way” – and I guess that’s my point – These statements (once again, to me) come across as more of a “my way” rather than a “Christ’s way” or “God’s way”… and dang, look at me, I’m judging too, I truly don’t mean to, but I see that I am.

…and while I’m at it, the one I really hate is, “Do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?” This is usually asked by someone who doesn’t know me from Adam’s house cat, someone who hasn’t yet made an attempt to get to know me. My first thought is, “well you know, it’s really none of your business – that’s between me and a higher power – plus it’s PERSONAL relationship – I don’t have to tell you.” I know I sound defensive, but like I said before, if I, as a believer, think this is offputting, think what a non-believer thinks. A statement like this doesn’t make me want to be a part of whatever they’re a part of. If this is what they teach you where you worship and learn, I want to go somewhere else.

I want people to know I’m a Christian by the way I live my life, by the way I show others what I believe love is – not by the catch phrases I use. I want to reach out to others, not reach down to them.

I’m sorry if I’ve offended anyone who uses these phrases, but just know that sometimes the point you’re trying to make is lost in the jargon…

the least of them…

Another wonderful story that crossed my desk. There have been a lot of them; but I figure that if they touched my heart, maybe they will touch yours too…

He had come to Miami years ago from a nearby town. When he was diagnosed with HIV, his family told him not to come home. Over time his condition had developed into AIDS.

A few days earlier, he said, his family had called. For some reason they had a change of heart. They invited him home for Christmas. He couldn’t tell them, he said, that he was broke. He needed money for bus fare. Ten dollars would get him home for Christmas.

I’m in a Wednesday morning Bible study class at Myers Park Baptist Church. Not long before my Miami trip we had discussed the passage in Matthew where Jesus speaks to those who are to inherit the kingdom and reminds them of how they had helped him when he was down and out.

They ask, when did we do this? He responds, in the compelling language of the King James Version, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

There’s a problem with knowing these Bible stories: They keep calling you to account. This one is particularly troubling for prosperous people who usually manage to ignore the poverty around us.

People like me.

In my pocket I had a $20 bill that I intended to spend on a shirt. I didn’t know whether to believe him. It didn’t matter. He obviously needed the money more than I did.

I handed him the twenty.

“Here,” I said. “Merry Christmas.”

He was surprised. Apparently he hadn’t expected it to be so easy.

He took the money and looked straight into my eyes.

“Thank you,” he said, and it was as heartfelt a thanks as I have ever received. Then he put the money in his pocket and walked away.

A shared epiphany

Just before he melded into the crowd, he turned and raised his hand in a farewell salute. And he said, “I think you are Jesus.”

I was stunned. Before I could respond, he vanished into the crowd of shoppers.

What I would have said to him was this: “I thought you were Jesus.”

Merry Christmas.
Ed Williams

The Observer – letter to the editor – Dec 21, 1997

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:40