Sometime ago, one of my favorite
MAPsters posed a question on her
Facebook status. She told about yet
another mosque being built in one
of our major cities and asked her
friends how they felt about it.
Questions like this often bring
responses of alarm and deep concern
from the conservative Christian
community. We immediately blame
Washington, write letters to the
editor, and validate our
Christianity
by flooding the internet with
cleverly written forwards. Of
course,
none of these things are totally
ineffective, but let's be brutally
honest - how much of a measurable
effect have they had? Is the church
stronger today? Are the nation's
morals improving? Honestly, how much
of an impact has our "talk" really
had?
I would like to suggest that one
action leading toward a solution is
worth a thousand words pointing
toward a problem. Talk IS cheap. It
rarely costs us anything even though
it often makes us feel like we have
contributed so much.
So let's be brutally honest, how
much sacrifice and positive movement
have you made this year? Can you
list three major changes that you
have made in your life recently? How
often do you talk about the
failing world around you? How often
do you act in order to make a
difference?
Below is my response to the Facebook
question above. In it I address
three major areas that Christians
often refuse to admit need changing.
It is my prayer that you will be
different.
Response: What if Christians spent
less time on the softball field and
more time on the mission field? What
if Christians spent less time
watching television and more time
having vision? What if Christians
spent less time chasing the almighty
dollar and more time chasing the
Almighty? What if Christians stopped
talking about the condition of the
world and started making sacrifices
to actually do something about
it? What if...?
This week I would like to challenge
you to really take inventory of your
priorities. Does your mission field
get the same amount of attention as
the loyalty, sacrifice and passion
you have for the ball
field? Does television enhance your
movement toward solutions or does it
just inspire you to engage in more
cheap talk? Does the almighty dollar
rule you or does your lack of
materialism prove to the world you
are truly ruled by the Almighty?
The evidence IS there and the world
IS watching. The question is not
have we talked enough about the
problem, the question is when will
we stop the talking and start the
walking?
Brutal honesty- talk IS cheap! It
might get expensive (real
sacrifice), but let's invest in some
action!
Note: At present the MAP team is at
a church camp in DeRidder, LA.
This is our final week together.
Most of us (about 15 team members)
have lived together for 2 months. It
will be very hard to separate on
Friday. Thanks so much for all the
prayers! It has been an amazing
summer.
Note: When I was a teenager, I thought I knew
everything. Now that I am much older, I know that I
have much to learn. Please feel free to email me
with your thoughts on this important topic.
sonny@sonnychilds.com
