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Lifestyle evangelism means emptying ourself of pride
Mike Fletcher
It is difficult, if not impossible, to have faith in God if we have too much faith in ourselves.
That’s what preparation really is. Realizing that we don’t call the shots. I think of Moses’ before God called him at the burning bush. His whole life - 40 years in Egypt as a prince and 40 years in Midian as a shepherd - had been spent preparing him for what he’d do in his last 40.
Moses was a pretty headstrong man.
And just like God prepared Moses, so God is preparing you and me. Sometimes, he has to prepare us before we start a task. Other times, he stops us in the middle of a task to get us back on track. But the aim is to bring us to the realization that God means what he says and if we have faith in God, we’ll do what he wants.
That means we pay attention. We read the Bible. We come to God daily, in worshipful prayer. We seek his direction in all things. We take care of our family. And we realize that unless we are doing what his will is for us, we’re not going anywhere.
Want to know whether you have a problem with self-will, with too much pride? Here’s a simple series of questions. If you’re answer is yes to very many of these, then,well, I guess you can be sure you’re going to spend some more time in whatever particular state your own personal Midian happens to be.
Have you ever noticed that:
When the other person acts that way, he’s ugly. When you do, it’s boldness?
When the other person is set in his ways, he’s stubborn and obstinate. When you do, you’re firm?
When the other person takes his time doing things, he’s lazy or a slowpoke... you’re deliberate?
When the other person spends a lot of money on something, he’s a spendthrift. When you do, you’re quality conscious?
When the other person tries to treat someone particularly well, he’s sucking up or toadying. When you do, you’re gracious and considerate?
When the other person notices a lot of flaws in an idea or project, he’s hyper-critical or negative. When you do, you’re insightful and creative?
Finally, when the other person doesn’t like your friend or hold your beliefs, he’s prejudiced? When you do the same, you’re a good judge of human behavior?
Pride in self. It leads to spiritual blindness... which leads... nowhere.
Have you seen yourself as God does? Until we start that process, like Moses, we can be sure of spending a lot of time in the desert until we get this lifestyle evangelism thing down right.
Mike Fletcher is the publisher of the Online Christian Shopper, which offers llifestyle evangelism resources like Christian T-Shirts, Christian clothing and Christian jewelry. |