And your choice is?

Listening to a minister during a recent church service he made a statement that I found to be very interesting and I thought it to be appropriate for some reflection about his statement in other ways of consideration. His statement was: “I’d rather be close to someone that is just what they are than a phony.” His context was about just hanging out. People that we hold friendship with, those types of individuals others know we are close to because of the times they see you with them in various settings. It was a statement that from observation among those also listening that they agreed. They too seemed to like real people. We all know what a phony is. Someone that is not the person all their efforts would lead you to believe they are. A phony could be described as someone that says one thing or tells others this or that in terms of information or instruction, to only be someone who does the complete opposite of what they would recommend others do.
Professing Christians are unique because of the one in whom they profession their connection and relationship with. It could be said that John Deere lovers wear things all about John Deere, the take pride in the colors and believe that the product is the best machine produced. The same is said for Harley lovers. Sure we don’t want to buy a Honda, we love the sound of that rumble, the shake of that engine that moves the bike, the feel behind those handle bars and the knowledge of what it took to make that purchase. For Christians, the characteristics of Jesus should be just as evident as those that love John Deere, Harley’s or drink only R.C., Coke , or Mt. Dew., but it so often isn’t. Actually it is easy to use these illustrations and say that the priorities of “those folks” are not correct, yet our lives as Christians reflect a much less allegiance so often in our witness or treatment of others or concern for their well being.
So who had you rather hang with, someone that believes what they say or that phony that the minister I have quoted pointed out as a dislike? Questions that come to mind are why are Christian’s not happy people, folks that others want to be around, or as a witness, the type of person that lost folks or even hurting folks would turn to for a listening ear, a suggestive word or help? To many Christians sing about marching forward, but never move. Christians like to sing about that joy, joy, joy down in their heart, but they don’t reflect an attractive spirit to those hurting around them. Struggling thoughts one must deal with in considering why our churches are not growing in big numbers. You would think that as the world’s population experiences more questions about life, more issues about choices, and battle hills to climb that Christians would be the greatest direction signs for neighbors, school friends and co-workers. We don’t wear our colors very well in today’s environment. We are suppose to be people who love neighbors but we don’t open or doors and homes to them. Many Christians only have friends that are from church, we are normally not about meeting new people, listening to wear those we meet have been or the experiences they have had from life. Jesus was all about being us being His eyes, ears, and hands, yet we find greater security in remaining within our strong holds, talking a good talk about what we believe Jesus can do for others, but we refuse to begin friendships because of obvious differences of opinion, thoughts or in most cases, just our own perceived differences. Jesus was certainly not a person to let a perception stop him from being someone’s friend, or hanging out with them!
Not sure where your loyalty lies in the realm of spirituality, friendship, family, or reaching out to others, but we have a great example in Jesus Christ if we would only follow Him, His leadership and the example He set before us. The greatest thing that is so attractive to me personally about Jesus Christ is that His invitation to me, you and all of us is that we “come just as we are”. Not sure why we want to add other conditions for those around us when He didn’t, but I have found a friend in Jesus, and I want to give my efforts to share that with my neighbors and those I meet too, what about you?

Until then