“So you’re telling me you are THAT guy…. Hmmm.”
This was the response I received recently from a friend as I began to share of my last airplane experience.
If you haven’t noticed, there aren’t too many bucket seats on airplanes. More like rows of couches with armrests jammed in between. Isn’t it crazy how many people cram onto an airplane?
So I guess I am THAT guy who meets my best friend on each flight by choosing the middle seat so I can pin him against the window in conversation… about Jesus.
And no apologies. J As I try to calculate just how many flights I have been on, I would have to say well over 200. And maybe in another blog I will share some cool stories about introducing people to Jesus over the Atlantic Ocean or at baggage claim, but a couple weeks ago I was sitting next to a guy on a flight reading a book (which could possibly be interpreted as the universal sign for “don’t try to engage me”) with an unusual cover. And I don’t mean unusual because it was unique and drew attention, I mean unique for the opposite reason.
This book was wrapped in plain dark brown paper. It reminded me of Jr. High when we had to cover our school textbooks using grocery bags and scotch tape. It was exactly like that, only the purpose, it appeared, was not to protect his paper back novel, but rather to conceal the title in order to keep his reading selection private. This of course further provoked my attempt to discover his literary preference. After all, I was also reading… but I was exposed.
It turns out my new friend Jim was halfway through a fascinating book by a Muslim author attempting to compile and cross-reference the origin of ancient religions and there intersection with Egypt. I found this fascinating and really enjoyed Jim’s brief synopsis. But what really intrigued me was Jim. And this book was my only window at the moment into his journey. Why would this forty something your old hipster from Glendale, a professional artist with a highly enviable mustache of epic proportion, (it was awesome an awesome mustache… on its way to Looney Tunes’ Yosemite Sam status) secretly read such an obscure piece of literature?
Jim has a kid who is starting to ask questions, I guess that is what two year olds do. And as a self-proclaimed atheist, is on a discovery of sorts to establish an objective framework of faith and morality to help navigate his family’s growth and development. He and his wife, according to Jim, need some sort of reference point for guiding their family.
“Jim,” I said, “I know exactly the kind of compass you need for your journey… and let me introduce you to HIM!!!”
JUST KIDDING, I DIDN’T SAY THAT! Hahaha. Cheese.
No, I just listened. Jim said he and his wife weren’t “religious” and though they didn’t despise religion, they obviously had some reservations.
Fast forward two weeks. Yesterday I had youth group. There is a neighborhood kid who got “saved” under my ministry a couple years ago who is just tearing it up for the Kingdom. He brought a couple kids to his small group last week and gave them Bibles and such, but later when he called to invite them to youth group one young man said, “are you trying to make us religious? I’m good… thanks.”
Here is what I want to say to the father on an undercover search for a moral compass yet fears institutionalized religion.
Here is what I want to say young people who are willing to “try” small group at their friend’s house but not attend church service.
Jesus came to SAVE you from RELIGION.
Religion is mankind’s attempt to explain God. To reach the Creator.
Jesus is God’s attempt to explain Himself. To reach creation.
That is why we DON’T NEED religion and never will. Because Jesus is enough. To say we need both… well, I guess we could call that heresy.
What do you mean by “religion”?
Artin,
Ya dude, I spent some time researching the word “religion” and it is quite an ambiguous little noun! How do you define “religion” and how do you think others would?
“Religion” in the sense of surface-level, works-only, make-me-feel-good-about-my-moral-compass(or lack thereof) can definitely be discarded of. I agree with you saying Jesus came to save us from this type of religion.
However, “religion” as an encompassing term for humanity’s attempts to grasp the sometimes intangible realities of an infinitely loving and creative God is a reality that will never disappear. Nor do I think it should disappear. Yes mankind will jack this up to an exponential degree by polluting it with paganism, new-age mysticism, and self help mantras; but, I believe “religion” as an overarching term defines a process that God designed us to grapple with as humans. I think that religion as a whole is an acceptable thing, but what Jesus came to do is take us deeper, beyond mere attempts of intellectually engaging the concept of God to the point where we literally engage God Himself through relationship.
I know that it is all about relationship with God. But I don’t think we can even get to that point mentally if we did away with “religion” because I think it is meant to be a launch point into intimacy with our Creator.
BUT, I realize that this could be an issue of semantics that could go round and round forever. It all comes back to that relationship with Jesus.
Seth,
you sir, are a gentleman and a scholar.
Sorry if I was a bit wordy. Just struck a chord with me I guess.
Religion frustrates me to no end! Rituals which we use to try and contact God without any commitment or success. There is a BIG difference between doing something that we think will get us into heaven and throwing down the gautlet and saying “God I want to know you, here’s my soul, spirit, body AND mind”. Religion is just the feel-good, quick-fix, guilt reliever that wouldn’t even be there if people just realized that the work is already done! I do believe there is a little something about condemnation not being of Christ, so open your eyes, people and embrace your Creator.
It’s great that you didn’t try to be cheesy with Mr. mustache. It would have been very much like a sacrilege video of Wile coyote someone just sent me. I also appreciate you just listening to Mr. mustache.
I think non-Christians MUST first be convince that we are not trying to make them religious and that comes by winning their trust before handing them a Bible as your student did. In my own experience, I didn’t start to read the Bible until months after I made a decision to follow Christ. My Christian friends didn’t hand me a Bible or even try to take me to church until long after becoming a follower.
Especially, with your generation, trust plays a great part in a relationship. I’ve noticed that this postmodern generation is much more open when you prove to them that you can be trusted.
You are on a plane for a couple of hours. You have an opportunity to share Jesus (forcing religion) or fellowship with your new neighbor. I find talking to your new neighbor as though they are a believer brings great favor because they don’t feel judged and are more open to sharing their story. Then a real dialog can begin.
interesting take on the subject, count me as a new subscriber!