‘There is a need for us in the fullness, joy and enthusiasm which comes from the Holy Spirit to take on the task which is more urgent than any other; that of making the unfathomable riches of Christ known to our brothers and sisters’
– Pope John Paul II
A new semester has begun at uni and once again I am meeting new people and making new friends.
I feel as though every time you introduce yourself to someone new, you question yourself once again about who you really are.
If you tried to sum yourself up in a nutshell, what would you say? If you had to tell the class one thing that everyone should know about you, how would you answer?
I am the girl who puts her heart out there and in all honestly proclaims, ‘One thing I think everyone should know about me is that I love Jesus’.
In honouring him, I feel such joy and peace. I have professed his presence and his irreplaceable role in my life. It is the one thing that makes me significantly different from everyone else in the room. If there was one thing everyone ought to know, that is it. They asked after all. I just took the opportunity.
Yesterday I made some new friends, who were Christians. I only knew because I had said that I loved Jesus and the connection was made. What if I had not had the courage to speak up? We would have not connected in such an instant way as we did.
Much like me, if not more so, these friends are on fire for Jesus and for sharing his love with others. Unlike myself, they like to keep it quiet. They prefer to befriend people and once they get to know them, tell them later. They seemed shocked when I spoke so openly about being a Christian and asked me why I do so. They believe that if you keep it quiet, you can befriend people who would steer clear of you otherwise.
I can see how that would be true for them, and I considered whether or not I had done the right thing, being so open with my faith. As I walked back across campus to the free parking lot, I fretted no more. I had done what I felt was right. Everyone is different and everyone has different evangelistic styles. Their style may be that of a humble undercover Christian, but mine is not. I am proud of my saviour Jesus. Above all, I believe honesty is key. I don’t always say it awkwardly. I might mention church or something just to give a hint. I want people to know up front who I am and what they are getting themselves into. This way, they know from the start who I am and they have not been tricked into befriending someone who I am not.
It only takes a peek at my Facebook page to see where I stand anyway! They will find out sooner or later.
My bravery has helped other Christians in my classes to come out of hiding. They have asked me about Bible study groups and church. Together we defend the Bible when it is slammed in class.
As Christians, there really ought to be something different about us. There should be a salty flavour to our life and a certain grace when we speak. Everyone has secrets. Everyone has a core part of them that they hide. I think it is refreshing that God could use me as a breath of fresh air. Here is someone who is open and honest. A non- Christian friend of mine said recently, “I knew from the start that you were a good person. When I saw you I knew that what you see if what you get.”
Do we strive to be the honest person, where that which people see is what they get? Or do we try to pretend we are something we are not?
I am not afraid of using Jesus name. I am not afraid that proclaiming his love will leave me friendless. I have so many friends who live life very differently and know exactly what I stand for, and yet they do not repel. I believe there is something genuinely intriguing about an honest person. People know they can trust you. They know where they stand with you.
So if you are a Christian, don’t be afraid to show it. Be yourself. In my experience, being honest puts you in the right place to make friends, rather than sending them running.
Jesus isn’t a skeleton that should be hidden in the closet of your heart. The name of Jesus is a joyful song that must be sung, a light that must be shone, a love that can’t be hidden.
Jesus is why we are who we are. People should know that.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
– Matthew 5:14-16
“It’s discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.”
– Noel Coward
“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
– Galatians 5:25
One Road Less Travelled 