Getting ‘Out There’…
So here’s the thing. As a Christian I actually believe that the bible is the word of God. Yeah I know, totes cray cray, but there you go. So when I read it I actually want to take on board what it is saying and with it guidance from God as to how we should be living our lives. It’s not really that difficult.
So when scripture says things like:
Go, make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28)
and love one another (John 13)
and Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act (Proverbs 3)
or Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy (Proverbs 31)
then I think, ok well, how do we do that?
I know some Christians feel that their faith is private and they don’t feel comfortable sharing it and well that’s their choice, but I’ve got to be honest, I’m not sure how they square that with scripture… Anyway. I think for me there’s two main reasons why I feel it’s so important to engage in mission, based on scripture: 1) To evangelise and 2) to help/come alongside those needier than myself. And you can’t really do that inside church. Chances are most people inside the church are already Christians anyway (ok I said chances are, I didn’t say everyone). There are of course people who need help inside the church too and usually they are getting support from, well from others inside the church (now isn’t the time to go into the success or otherwise of church pastoral care!).
So, then we have to get ‘out there’. Outside of our walls, our houses, our church buildings, our comfort zones. Jesus went to the temple yes but he didn’t stay there, walled up in some little safe haven, he went out there, out and about, all over the place in fact. He went where people were needy, where people would listen, where he was welcomed. And surely he has to be our example?
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