Biker Jim and I were discussing the quality of doctors during one of his
hospital stays. We were joking that whether #1 of 312 graduates, or #312 of
312, they were both doctors. When in walked his nephrologist while we were
laughing. So we asked him where was his class ranking, after he inquired of our
smiles. We must have been suspicious-no one smiles at Palomar. Then he smiled,
back at us, and said he didn't have a class ranking-his college was pass/fail.
We only hoped he had passed-courage left us at that moment and we didn't have
the nerve to ask.
But listening to him talk about his years of his years of interning, and
his various degrees, and continuing schooling, it was obvious he had earned the
right to be a doctor. So we felt better. He had some 20 years and hundreds of
hour of surgery experience, something that cannot be taught, but only acquired
through experience. I still have never heard of a course being taught on
experience-although many try to by-pass this valuable teaching tool. Start at
the top and work your way down, seems to be their mantra, and sadly it shows.
Money will buy an education, it just doesn't guarantee you'll learn
anything.
When Moses came down with the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments,
his face shone like an angel-he had been in the presence of God. But with time
it faded, and to hang onto the former glory of it, he chose to wear a mask. If
anyone asked, it was to protect the people, but the truth was it was to hide the
faded glory. A mask that too many wear today. Moses had earned the right to
represent God, but on God's terms not his own. A characteristic I see today,
and have been guilty of myself. I see groups of people being taught how to
witness, and then go out, thinking this education gives them the right. Some
think because my parents are saved, or I went to church religiously, or I
graduated from seminary, I can do it. But first it takes being born again, a
right given as a gift by Jesus, then you have the right to be called a child of
God. It takes a submission to the holy spirit. Would you trust an old biker
just because his nickname was Doc? So why would you believe someone with good
credentials? Or a title? Why not trust God, what about His credentials?
Yet many walk today based on experience, knowledge, or pride. Faded glory,
not the jeans. Where once God worked through them, when they trusted God, now
they know it all, and are unreachable. This is particularly sad when the person
is called a pastor. Sooner or later, his failings will be your fault. When all
this time you should be trusting God. I get annoyed when some well meaning
Christian comes up and preaches to me. I guess I don't fit the profile of what
they think a Christian should be, and I get offended when confronted. As do
many other non-Christians, who feel persecuted by this type, and another reason
they would never go to church. Why not trust God, and let the spirit guide
you? Remember when you were a young Christian and you had all this faith, so
you were obedient? Remember when you didn't try to please God, but found God
pleasing? Remember before religion entered your life, when it was all about
Jesus, and your life was a witness-you didn't have to go out witnessing? Before
you were the main topic? Before you became aware that a walk with God wasn't a
class ranking, but a pass/fail. And you passed!
Because we have earned the right according to Jesus to be called sons of
God, extend the same courtesy to others. Earn the right to share the
gospel-listen to them, don't preach. The second you start preaching to me, I'm
outta here-I don't want to hear it. I rather have my needs met, by God, and be
shown His love-not your zealousness. Which can run contrary to what the spirit
wishes to do through you.
So take the time to get to know God. "I don't know," is a good answer when
you don't know. Remember it is all about Jesus. He'll give you the words-if
you listen. Which is what you want your audience to do for you. Leave the mask
for Halloween, and be yourself in Christ-a full time job for most of us. And
let the spirit work through us, and watch as God uses us for the kingdom. You
cannot teach experience, but you can build a relationship with Jesus. Get to
know Him, or better yet, let Him let you get to know Him. As long as it is all
about Jesus, you have the right agenda. And the only agenda to have.
If your idea of evangelism is wearing Christian t-shirt, or having a bumper
sticker on your car, a backwards collar, a title, or a patch on your back, get
to know Jesus first. He cares more about what is inside of you than what you
think you show. And like any good surgeon will remind you, all healing works
from the inside out. Which also happens to be how God works on us. Just ask
Moses, the mask you hide behind is evident to all but yourself. I prefer to
hide behind Jesus. I want to know Him, and others to know Him too. Earn the
right to share Him. "Who was that masked man?" was popular long before the Lone
Ranger. So don't be a lone Christian, and never have to say about Jesus, "and
we never got a chance to thank Him."
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
