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Lounging or labouring?

Richard Maffeo

I’ve lived in southern California so long, I forget how bad the weather can be elsewhere. While the rest of the world wages battle with old man winter, I lounge on my back porch lathering sunscreen on my arms. While other people pull their coat collars up against driving snow, I stroll through my neighbourhood in shorts and a T-shirt.


Similarly, I’ve been a Christian so long, I often forget the struggles of people whose lives are different. I forget they don’t know how to receive Christ’s peace during their personal storms. They don’t know they can find forgiveness for sin when they lose battles with temptation.

No one can send a package of sunshine to those living under frigid winter skies, but every Christian can introduce Christ’s warmth to those shivering in despair, hopelessness and guilt. Here are some suggestions:

Before you can bring hope to the hopeless, you must make sure you yourself have Jesus’ hope. “The church,” someone said, “is always only one generation from extinction.” In other words, it is possible to grow up in the front pew, hear the gospel every Sunday, say the words and sing the choruses, yet never ask Jesus to forgive your sins and change you into His image. Once your relationship with Christ is settled, make sure your speech, your dress, the jokes you laugh at and the movies you watch all reflect what you “say” about your relationship with Christ. We can’t expect others to pay attention to what we say, if we don’t follow our own preaching. Ask God for opportunities to share your faith – and for boldness to do so. The biggest obstacle I face in telling others about Christ is my fear: “What will they think of me?” A better question is: “What will they think of me when they stand before God’s judgement seat if I have never told them about Christ’s love and forgiveness?” Invite a friend, neighbour or co-worker to a home Bible study or special church service. Inviting people we know is easier than inviting strangers. The worst that can happen is that they will say, “No, thanks.” The best that can happen is that they will attend the service and commit their lives to Christ. Lend evangelistic books and videos to friends. Lending material is often better than giving it because gifts sometimes collect dust on forgotten shelves. Loans, on the other hand, are read or watched because the recipients know they will be asked for their opinion when the material is returned.

Many of those we meet – at work, in locker rooms and in lunchrooms – are battered and shivering from their old nature. We have the privilege of offering them safety in Christ. Admittedly, walking across the street requires more effort than lounging around lathering our arms with sunscreen. But do we really need a tan as much as they need Christ’s warmth, love and hope?

Richard Maffeo is a freelance writer from San Diego, Calif.

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Last modified May 23, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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