Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Talking the Talk

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us!   Just look at it—we're called children of God!  That's who we really are.   But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who He is or what He's up to. 
1 John 3:1

There is an old saying that there are two things you don't talk about in polite conversation (unless you want to start an argument):  politics and religion.  I'm not much for talking about politics, but I do talk about the church.  After all, I attend one, and then I work for another.  So religion is a very significant part of my life.  However, it is true, in my experience, that no one wants to talk about my religion, their religion, or anyone else's religion, for that matter.  So obviously I need to take a different approach.

What if I just talk about my friend, Jesus?  That would be simple enough - He and I are good friends, and I talk to Him all the time, so why not just approach a conversation with someone else from the basis of talking about my Friend.  I have found that this is actually more difficult than trying to talk about "religion."  No one wants to hear my "personal testimony" of faith - including many of my friends who are themselves Christians.   It is as if talking about your personal experience with God is taboo.  Really taboo.  If I am talking with a close friend who is also a Christian, I can usually get away with saying, "Hey, guess what God did for me yesterday?" without getting the deer-in-the-headlights look or an impatient glare.

So how exactly do you "witness" about your relationship with the Lord?  If talking is not the way to go without offending the listener, then what does "work?"  

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