Categories: uncategorized
Date: 16 March 2008 15:12:55
Sometimes timing is everything and it's best when it's completely unplanned.
Today we had a moment at church which illustrated this wonderfully. "Jo Average" and friend are innocently serving tea and coffee at the back of the church when Tractor Girl arrives, doing her usual awkward squad impression.
"Is it fair trade?"
"No, think it's just ordinary"
"What both the tea and coffee, are either fair trade?"
"No, just have a cup"
"Well, what brand's the coffee then?"
"Um, Kenco I think"
"That's ok then, I'll have a black coffee"
"Right here you are"
At this point a hand reaches forward from behind me and hands the woman serving the tea and coffee a card promoting Baby Milk Action's campaign to boycott Nestle and gently asks if anybody else would like a card.
At this point I realised something important, where as I was trying to just "do the right thing" with my choice of hot drink the person behind me, whom I have great respect for, had explained the reasons behind what I was saying. She had had the courage to take the action I hadn't and spread the campaigns message rather than just support the general ethos. Where I was the "awkward squad" her gesture was gentle but said far more than mine could.
Upon reflection I realise that this probably sums up my life generally. People generally know I am a Christian and what I do / don't do; believe as a result of my faith but they never have why explained to them. I guess it's why I fail miserably as an evangelical (& maybe as a Christian); living it may not simply be enough. We need to somehow communicate with others why we're living it and encouraging them to join us (or atleast giving them enough of an explanation for them to make an informed choice). Doing this is hard and to be honest I'm not sure I'll ever manage it, but I have the upmost respect for those who do combine living it and explaining why.