A Risky Power 
                                                                         October 16, 2012

 John (the disciple, not John “the baptizer”) tells us how the “church” began to form.   It happened initially through simple, simple relationship connections and invitation.   Two young men (one of whom was John himself which is why have this story) were curious about Jesus so Jesus invited them hang out with him.   It must have been a good day because the other young man, Andrew nvited his brother Peter to join them.   Philip and Nathaniel follow.     

We read phrases like, “come and see” and “follow me”.   After all these years of being a Christian I am finding the Christian life to be both much simpler and much harder.    

The “simpler” part is that I can’t think of a better practical definition of the Christian Life than
"following Jesus”.    Jesus started off by simply inviting others to spend time with him.    

But it’s not simple, is it?   It has a cost.   It costs time and who has time for another person in your life, right?  It is also a risk.   What if your hanging out with someone has the obvious motive behind it of converting that person to Christianity and “getting them saved”?  No one wants to be your “salvation project”.  There is also the further risk that revealing your faith to another person will cost you status and acceptance and respect among colleagues who do not respect your faith position.   Sometimes it can even cost you your job.   This danger will only increase.  

Risk is unavoidable.   One thing we can do is to befriend others simply with the desire to love and serve, regardless of the outcome of their faith.   That way our time with them is not tied to “results”.   In terms of risk in the workplace, well that’s hard.   How to be a bridge for unbelieving colleagues to the gospel requires a lot of discernment and, yes, risk.   I suspect that risk will increase with each passing year.  

“Lord please help me to be an Andrew.   Help me to be lovingly and respectfully exuberant  about the life you have given me to live and about the possibility that exists for others to have it to.  Help me to live a life that opens others to you because they notice your love for them through me.  Amen”