I don’t think I’ve ever written a series of articles before. Kevin Martineau does awesome ones all the time but me… I don’t really have the patience!
I feel a series is necessary though on the subject of secrets. Yesterday I talked about postsecret.com and how the popularity of it shows how many people have secret pain that they need an outlet for. Read yesterday’s post here.
What I want to talk about today though is a little different – it’s a dirty little secret that many Christians carry around with them and never tell anyone and I want to expose it to the world right now… here goes:
JESUS IS MY SAVIOUR AND FRIEND AND I LOVE HIM!!!!!
Shh.
Seriously.
It’s a secret!
At least, many, if not most, of us act like it is!
We tend to try to cover up our dirty little secret in one of three ways:
1) We just don’t say anything at all and hope that no-one ever says anything to us about it so we don’t have to try to find a way to deny it or cover it up without actually lying.
2) We act all religious and tell people about all the rules they have to follow while pretending that we follow them too. All the time hoping that people will just follow the rules and never actually ask about the secret we’re hiding.
3) We become televangelists because we know no-one ever watches those shows so no one will ever know.
Am I right?
If I went into your place of work and I told people there that you are a Christian, that you have a relationship with Jesus where he calls you ‘friend’ and that you are deeply in love with him would they believe me? Would your co-workers be shocked? Would you run and hide under a desk?
How about if I asked the people behind the counter at Starbucks or McDonald’s or wherever it is that you shop the most?
How about if I asked your family. Your spouse? Your kids?
We are told to shine our light before all men (Matthew 5:16).
Why? So “that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”, according to Jesus.
1 Peter 3:15 says “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” I have been asking over and over again “do people see any hope in us?”
Dan Edelen talked about this the other day when he wondered when the last time was that a complete stranger walked up to him and talked to him about Jesus. He also wrote some pretty amazing posts on the beauty of the Church.
Really though. Do we actually live like we love Jesus and are truly excited about it? Are we overflowing with our excitement and thankfulness for all that God has done for us?
It would be wrong to be so bouncy and in-your-face that people are put off of seeking after God because they don’t want to become wacky weirdo’s like us, but there must be some middle ground somewhere.
I find it interesting that Jesus told many people who he healed not to say anything to anyone – and they ran off and told everyone anyway but then when he tells us to tell the world about him, we keep our mouths firmly closed.
Is being a child of God your deep, dark secret that you are keeping from everyone? Or are you being a light to the world?
Excellent post Peter! This is where my heart and passion is right now! My desire is NOT to be a secret Christian. I want to reflect Christ in ALL that I do!
Thanks Kevin.
Your post today is pretty awesome too, if I might say so!
It’s that middle ground that is sometimes the problem. I think we are far to often too comfortable in the middle ground…luke warm water of the world. We go about our day in our little bubble and never really have to step out in faith for much. We love those that love us and avoid those who are most difficult to love. We’re safe, comfortable, secure. I don’t think being a light to the world has to be “so bouncy and in-your-face that people are put off of seeking after God because they don’t want to become wacky weirdo’s like us”, but I definitely think being a light is WAY more than we are doing. I think we need a good kick in the butt. Jesus loved radically that went against all traditions and boundaries. Are we able to do that? It seems like such a basic concept. Love well. Then why is it so hard? I think if we actually started doing that, truly loving people according to Jesus’ example, then people would know you have an intimate relationship with Him and you wouldn’t have a “dirty little secret”.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the great reply Christina.
When you start blogging I’m going to tell everyone to read your blog!
I’ve always had a problem with being a Nic at Night … Nicodemus came at night because he was a secret follower. I do love the fact that when Jesus is buried, he’s there helping with the burial. Now he no longer is worried about who sees him.
Thanks for the powerful post.
Hi Peter, I finally made it over to check out your blog. This is wonderful, challenging stuff.
To answer your question, I wondered at first but finally I think I might like someone to come and announce to my co-workers I am a crazy-Jesus guy. I’m a pastor with an outside job and part of my struggle is how to bring Christ effectively into conversations while maintaining company policy. If someone came out of nowhere without my knowledge, it might lead to all sorts of conversations!
Blessings to you!
Thanks for coming by Jason. There are so many blogs out there and I appreciate you taking the time to visit mine and for your kind words.
The situation you are talking about is one that is very hard. Some people could lose their jobs for talking about Christ and part of me says “Isn’t He worth more that your job?” but at the same time we have to be wise and use the situations and positions he gives us wisely.
I’d be happy to come stir things up for you though!
I want to be convicted in the court of public perception as a Christian, each and every day.
That’s a great way to put it!
Hi Peter
Great article and wonderful website…I am enjoying my visits. Refreshing and keeps my mind thinking as usual.
Secrets continue to be a very intricate part of people’s lives. Almost everyone has a secret and it is very disappointing to witness secrets unfold in churches or amongst the lives of believers or the faithful. Perhaps your series on the topic will get some people to recognize that secrets are like tons of bricks on your heart, mind and soul. Not a good load to have.
“I find it interesting that Jesus told many people who he healed not to say anything to anyone – and they ran off and told everyone anyway but then when he tells us to tell the world about him, we keep our mouths firmly closed”
That is because man has always found it very attractive to go against the rules and also receiving healing was much easier to explain than the teaching or the faith. But the most interesting part for me is that years later you now have Christians putting a value to their Christianity and faith based on the amount of healing and miracles occur in their lives for going to church. That is why we have hundreds of churches claiming healing powers, although some do, in order to attract thousands of members. I ask looking for healing to consider the fact that the Devil can also heal you, in order to win you over to the dark side.
I believe that the reason why Jesus asked those who received healing to say nothing was to avoid the world and new Christians from being confused with the requirement of faith and becoming a Christian. I look at this was…healing is byproduct of faith…that is why Jesus would ask first…..Do you Have Faith?…before performing miracles, since “Faith” is a critical part of Christianity or Religion for that matter.
So I would say those who are afraid of admitting to the world that they are Christians, are in fact ashamed of their faith. It’s sad but it happens.
“If I went into your place of work and I told people there that you are a Christian, that you have a relationship with Jesus where he calls you ‘friend’ and that you are deeply in love with him would they believe me? Would your co-workers be shocked? Would you run and hide under a desk?”
I have had people ask me not to discuss their religion at work for fear of being victimized and all sorts of stuff. I think people need more faith in their religion and need to avoid keeping their Christianity a secret.
Thanks for a wonderful article
TheTVObserver
You’re welcome TVobserver and welcome to Rediscovering the Church. I appreciate you stopping by.
Great comment I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.
There was a time, Peter, when I was Peter – when I denied Him and his influence in my life. There was even a time when I turned my back on him, when I thought God wasn’t who He said He was. And then there, in the midst of the muck and the mire, God reached down to me and pulled me out. He SAVED me, He SAVED my life and now I have no choice but to proclaim Him as often as I can, wherever I can, to whoever will listen!
Does that mean I have it all figured out? No, but for me experiencing grace and peace comes in giving Him glory, in sharing who He is in my life and in my world, and loving people as He does – people I once thought I was way better than. Does that make sense?
A challenging post for many. Thanks for allowing Him to use you to challenge us!
You’re welcome Chris,
What you say does make sense – and it’s a challenge to all of us. How DO we love the people that we would otehrwise look down on?
Great post, Peter – and timely.
I’ve observed that there are a lot of christians (note: little “c” – what I like to call “armchair christians”) and then there are CHRISTIANS.
The apathy we see in “church-folk” these days just serves to reinforce Matthew 7: 13-14.
Keep up the good work. And keep swinging that sword!
I certainly have no shame in people knowing I’m a Christian and I love Christ. Its the telling other people about Him that I struggle with. I think a lot of it has to do with how the world negatively portrays Christians, and I guess I don’t want to be seen in that way. I also have the problem of assuming people already know about Christ and if they wanted to be saved then they’d be saved, I don’t consider that they could’ve never been shown Christ’s love by another person. Or maybe they’ve been hurt by the church in the past. This is something I’ve been struggling with recently.
Peter! SHHHHH!!! Drat, now the secret is out! LOL
I think my secret got out long ago. HAHA My biggest hinderance is the total stranger, which is what I am working on being more comfortable talking to about Jesus. I have to remind myself that it is Him that they are rejecting sometimes not me.
God Bless my friend!