There is nothing more annoying than a syrupy Jesus freak.
Let me rephrase, as almost every facet of that statement is unclear. Except "syrupy." Can't get much more clear than a good pancake analogy.
DC Talk immortalized the derogatory term for an enthusiastic Christian in their crazy-popular song "Jesus Freak." I still remember just about flying out of my skin at a DC Talk concert when they played this song. "What will people think when they hear that I'm a Jesus freak? What will people do when they find that it's true? I don't really care if they label me a Jesus Freak. There ain't no disguising the truth." Good song. But most of the unbelieving world uses the term "Jesus Freak" to describe a Christian who, despite all rules of polite society, fair play, and Ethical Treatment of Animals, broadcast their Christianity in the rudest ways possible. If you're one of these people, let me clue you in on something...
You kind of embarrass the rest of us.
We look at you like someone would look at an exuberant but not too bright child or a sweet, leg-humping puppy. Basically good to be around but with one really awkward habit that almost cancels out the joy of your company.
I was told one particularly memorable story that summarizes the kind of Christian I am talking about and what the world thinks of them. On a college campus, a friend of a friend with a particular flair for deadpan (how a person can have a flair for deadpan is beyond me, considering that the principle of deadpan is to have no flair whatsoever) was getting on an elevator. At the last moment, a young, bouncy, ponytailed blonde joined him. Rather than assuming the awkward Elevator Stranger silence, this girl turned to him and said "Hi! I love Jesus!"
The man stared at her flatly for a moment, then said in a deep, ominous monotone, "I worship Cthulu. Cthulu eats babies."
The girl got off at the next floor without another word. My point is that his response was inappropriate, but no more so than hers was.
It reminds me of my days as a Mary Kay sales rep. The sales scripts and recruiting tactics they used were, to me, unnatural and inappropriate, tacky and fake. Using them was, I think, as annoying to me as it was to the people I was selling to. I had great faith in the product--I still do! But I didn't know how to get the word out about my business in a medium I was comfortable enough with to be genuine, and I have an inherent problem with falsehood, from me more than from anyone else.
I think most people do, though, and that's kind of my point. They don't want a Sales Pitch to band-aid all their problems and tell them what to do with ten percent of their money. They need a real, solid, visceral reason why Jesus is the answer. Tacky one-liners and regurgitated scripts are almost worse than not saying anything at all.
Don't misunderstand me. In this dying world, we have to speak up. Let me repeat, with emphasis; WE HAVE TO SPEAK UP! People are literally starving for hope and healing and this is no time to stand on ceremony. This is not the time for an "I'm okay, you're okay" doctrine or a waffling reply to serious questions. There is no time to be standoffish or shy. Jesus is coming, people! LOOK BUSY!
If you're one of the "syrupy" believers mentioned above and at some point have tried to win souls via a memorized script or cheesy catch phrase, you're in good company. I've been there too, and it's not a sin. It's simply not as effective as some people might think.
Here's the deal: We don't win people to Christ. The Holy Spirit does that. We are here to translate the Word into everyday language for an unbelieving world. God doesn't even really need us to do that, but it's our privilege to serve the King. So why not be yourself? Jesus saved YOU, not some pre-written script. Dig down into your guts and find a way to express what He's done for you, whether it's through music or art or writing or the way you converse or a story you tell. God made beautiful myriads of people with infinite talent. Use yours for His glory. It's why He put it there. You have a beautiful story. No one's Salvation journey is boring, and it will reach someone out there if you keep telling it.
Now to Him who has presented Himself within us as Tapestry for the willing heart, who trains our fingers to be instruments in the battle of winning the lost and hurting, we lay our creativity and ability at Your feet and humbly ask for the opportunity and inspiration to use them for Your glory.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
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