JR. Forasteros - August 25, 2013
Evangelism
When we hear the term "Evangelism" we think of guys standing on corners with signs, yelling through bullhorns. But that's not how Jesus taught us to share the Good News about him and the new life he brings us. In Matthew 10, we see his followers sent out as guests, about visiting and staying a while, living life with those far from God and showing them what Jesus' new life looks like. We're not evangelizing until both our words and our lives announce who Jesus is!
From Series: "Priceless Kingdom"
How easily do we reduce Jesus' new life to 'spirituality'? We think of God's Kingdom as one area of our lives - what we do on Sundays, or with a small group, or when we're engaging in religious activities. But Jesus tells us stories that invite us to imagine a Kingdom so big it encompasses our whole lives. A new life that can't be measured, can't be quantified because it's too big, too excellent. This kingdom is worth everything we have and more. It demands everything from us and when we give it all, we wish we could give more. This new life Jesus offers is priceless!
More Messages From JR. Forasteros...
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Last Summer, my wife and I took a trip to Los Angeles. We were waiting to board the plane in Dallas when I saw someone holding a question brick from the Mario Brothers game (the art was 8-bit and everything). The man holding the brick did not have a thick moustache and a red newsboy cap. Instead he had a big mop of curly hair. I recognized him instantly.
It was Weird Al Yankovic. He of music parody fame. Right there. In the flesh. Getting on OUR PLANE with a MARIO QUESTION BOX.
I freaked out a little bit. I love Weird Al. Immediately, I wanted to get a picture with him.
The whole flight to LA, I kept imagining how I would approach him. Obviously I didn’t want to be a nerdy fan boy. And of course I realized he’d be long gone by the time we got off the plane – Weird Al flies first class!
But then we got off the plane and there he was. Almost like he was waiting for me! He started walking for baggage claim right ahead of us. There I was, following Weird Al through LAX.
Amanda kept prodding me: Go ask him for a picture! I was so nervous. But this was my big chance!
So I walked a little faster, got up next to him. Prepared my speech. “Ahem. Mr. Yankovic?” But then my voice froze in my throat. Because, out of the corner of my eye, I really looked at him for a moment. He was looking down at the carpet, walking with the hurried weariness of a person who’s home from a long trip (haven’t we all been there?).
I heard two guys passing us the other direction exclaim, “Whoa, that was Weird Al!” He didn’t react or respond. I realized that, with such an iconic look, he must hear that all the time. And I thought about my own travel, when I’m almost home how the last thing I want is to be bothered.
So I dropped back to walk with Amanda and let Weird Al head out to get his car while we headed to baggage claim.
Amanda asked me why I didn’t stop him, and I couldn’t exactly put my finger on it in that moment, but I kept thinking about it for the next several days. I realized that I have this drive inside me for acclaim, for celebrity. I want to be known, to be loved, and associating myself with famous people was a way to get that.
In other words, I wasn’t nearly as interested in meeting Weird Al as I was in the likes and comments the pictures would generate.
I was interested in him for what he could get me, for how I could feel about myself. That’s an ugly attitude.
I know a few of you in here can relate. You know exactly what I was thinking and feeling in those moments because, like me, you want acclaim and affirmation. But that’s not everyone.
What are you seeking?
Good things become idols in our lives. When we become too focused on these , we miss God in our lives (and, like I nearly did with Weird Al, we miss the image of God in other people – they become means to satisfy our drives).
