Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Philemon 1:6 Part 2

 "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have an understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." 

I missed yesterday due to my job, which has been the story of my life for the last 28 years.  Personal goals and lives seem to always be expected to be sacrificed at the altar of teaching, which is not ok at all.

Anyway, I think I will consider the first part of that verse today - "active in sharing your faith." What does it mean to be active?  I think the first idea that comes to a lot of people's minds is sharing what you believe - like physically telling people.  I also think that is probably about the least effective way of going about business.  If you're a check-the-box kind of person, verbally sharing is a fast and "easy" way to actively share your faith, but it's also a big turn-off to most of the people on the planet.

As a human race, we spend all our days, hearing (not necessarily listening) people tell us things. The funny-no-so-funny aspect about that is that most humans know that this is the least satisfactory method, earning the worst track record for learning longetivity.  People have short attention spans and truly "hear" only a small portion of the message.  That said, if one is relying on a verbal presentation to check the box, s/he is getting the task done, but not being very effective.  Plus, in addition to failing in delivering the message to the listener, what is the actual benefit to the speaker?  I'm sure s/he gains confidence in relaying his/her message; i.e, the more you do it, the more comfortable you are in doing it. But other than that, what?  It's not going to be like s/he is gaining any friends in that method? 

As I think about being "active in sharing your faith," I think about action.  That's where the word, "active," comes from.  People really don't care that much about words; they care more about action and integrity.  Who is the person behind the words?  I am more apt to listen to someone if I actually respect him/her.  That means I will be watching and gauging his/her words and behavior first before I listen to a message. 

Actively sharing your faith is how you act under pressure.  Do you explode in anger?  Do you let the cuss words fly?  Do you chew out and/or blame others? 

Actively sharing your faith is how you act when you presume no one is watching.  Are you kind to all - the person who opens doors at a hotel? The customer service person who does returns at Walmart? The customer service rep on the phone who doesn't make the policies but who has to take the abuse of angry customers? The person in front of you? 

Actively sharing your faith is the little kindnesses you do that are so small that they go unnoticed but are definitely a huge part in a day's functioning.  For example, do you load the copier when the paper is low?  Do you unjam the machine, even if it isn't your fault? Do you do a little prep work for the colleague who is running behind? Do you say thank-you for every kindness, no matter how large or small? Do you recognize others before yourself? 

Actively sharing your faith is how you talk about others when you're not in church or around church people.  Do you participate in gossip? Do you listen to the gossip, which is an implicit act of acceptance, or do you walk away?  Do you use derogatory language, racial slurs or make racist or sexist remarks? Are you hyper-critical of others, especially and often conveniently "forgetting" your own short-comings? Are you more self-less or selish?

You might think I'm being all uppity in asking these questions, but what you don't know if that I'm asking them more of myself than anyone else. I'm doing a dipstick check of myself to see if I'm being a total dipstick.  Am I actually, actively sharing my faith? 

I think there is a reason why that part comes first in the verse.  We are meant to really consider our present reality because IT affects that back half of the verse.  If we are consistent in being mindful and authentic in actively sharing our faith, it WILL give us a practical, whole understanding of every good thing that WE have (have been given/shown) in Christ.  It also leads us to the good life that Christ wants for us.  

That's enough for today.  I have to do to a staff meeting.  We will see what tomorrow brings. 

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