Living at a campground provides interesting opportunities to meet persons across a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
For instance, over time, I have become friends with a young adult in his early forties. He's Anglo-American, athletic, has a strong build, broad shoulders, and wears the classic look of his generation, facial beard, tattoos, and silver or gold chain around his neck. He hails from the great state of South Carolina. He's a follower of Jesus but is taking a long break from the organized church. He is a jack of all trades and relates well with persons of differing perspectives and backgrounds. When it comes to politics, I believe he would describe himself as mostly conservative. When it comes to voting in the next general election, at this time he says that he doubts he'll vote for either candidate. He doesn't like nor trust either one.
He and two of my other friends were working outside putting down composite deck board flooring of the large pavilion where we gather to eat, dance, or watch movies. My other friend is in his forties too. He is of similar build. His facial hair is a different color than my friend from South Carolina. Anglo-American, he grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, although he says, "These days Philly is anything but the city of brotherly love. It's been taken over by a whole different group of people!" He has a piercing in his lip and dresses up in "Gothic" attire from time to time. When it comes to religion, my friend from Philly describes himself as "None." When it comes to politics, my guess is that he falls somewhere in the camp of an "Independent." His lifestyle appears to be more progressive. I've only known this friend for one month.
This particular day another man who had been working at the campground via day labor for the past few weeks assisted with the project. At the time, I did not know that this new acquaintance who is in his late twenties would cross into that hard to describe description known as friend. He and I have something in common. It's not age. I'm 64. He grew up in Texas. I was born in El Paso. He's African-American, I believe with drops of Mexican and Anglo blood poured into the mix. His hair is black and straight. He sports a "goatee."
I watched them work and participated in some of the back and forth banter typical of men. It's common for expletives to bounce through the air, the kind of coarse language that unsettles many Christian evangelicals. I admit I found some of the language to be on the edge of offensive. I bit my tongue because I care more about getting to know people than I do scolding them for cursing. I hope to hear people's sacred stories and go deeper than their choice of words. I hope that over time doors will open to witness to the love of God made known in Jesus of Nazareth and why I am a one of his followers.
I tend to be curious and enjoy asking open ended questions like, "Tell me what you're passionate about" and "What gives your life meaning?" Often the answers surprise me.
For instance, today the young man from Texas told me about the hobby that drives his life. He used to be into racing. Now he's into a "sport" I had never heard of before. It's called "Take Downs." He said, "Take Downs happen on private property. Sometimes hundreds of cars will appear. We especially like to hang out at intersections in larger cities. People of all ages show out even mothers and babies. Cars like Dodge Chargers and Hellcats and Japanese cars that are rear drive spin donuts. If the police or troopers arrive, about one-hundred people will form a wall, stand between the racers, and shoot fire crackers at them. That gives them time to get away. He described a recent get away drive he made where he descended rapidly down a ramp below a bridge on an interstate. "I got away from that trooper" he bragged.
I said, "It sounds like what youth used to do when they gathered in parking decks in Japan." "That was called drifting," he said, "Yea, it's kind of like that but with cars that are often muscle cars. They have to be rear wheel drive. As people spin donuts, spectators stand as close to the cars as possible and try to capture the best video shots. I like to take the videos and post them. People make bets on who can get closest to the cars without getting hit. I've been hit before. All kinds of stuff goes on. The teenagers are really into it and they're really crazy. Anything goes. Some of the drivers may be wearing colors and be in gangs. Some may be on drugs. A lot pack guns. Recently, one guy's front bumper got ripped off the frame. It was a very expensive ride. Next thing I knew I lay flat on my belly on the ground. Bullets pinged the air. It was like the wild, wild West, quite a shoot out. If you are caught taking part in a take down either driving or watching, you'll be charged with a felony. Last week someone came to within one inch of hitting me."
I responded, "I invite you to think about what is going on inside of you that makes you want to get that kind of adrenaline rush. You could end up paralyzed. Not only that, I know you care about people. What if a mother and child are accidentally killed?" He just shook his head and said, "Yea, I know."
I said, "I'm not getting after you man. I care about you. What is going on underneath that makes you want to risk being paralyzed?" Silence followed. Then I felt the Spirit give me a nudge. "Tell him, (them), about Jesus. So I said, "Hey man, if you want to get an adrenaline rush that will never run out, if you want to do something radical and revolutionary, follow Jesus, follow Jesus of Nazareth."
It's like a major shift occurred in the weather. It's like a calming breeze came out of now where carrying inexplicable peace on angel's wings. A Deeper Presence filled the air. All three guys quit working on the deck they were rebuilding. The young man from Philly who had been listening quit inserting screws into wood, looked up at me and said, "
Whaaaaat?"
Now remember he's from the North. When he speaks he doesn't draw out his syllables. I looked at him and I said, "Yes, I'm serious. Study Jesus of Nazareth, his life, his teachings, his ways. Then I'll have a conversation with you. The way he lived and what he taught turned the world upside down. I invite you to read about him, study about him, then let's sit down and talk. I've studied all of the world's religions including atheism and I'd enjoy having conversations with you." Then he nodded his head up and down and said, "O.K."
Then the young man from Texas said, "Yea, I'm a believer. I pray before every Take Down."Lord Jesus, keep us safe!" I said, "Yea, that's like a guy who says a prayer and jumps out of an airplane without a parachute." We all laughed.
A few months later, my wife, Helen, decided to retire at sixty-five. We moved from the campground. I miss bumping into new friends at the campground.
Before we moved, I did have more conversations with all three men. I've lost touch with my friend from Texas. I feel a connection to him and I'm going to ask my friend from South Carolina if he has his phone number. I had some more conversations with my friend from Philly. It turns out he is quite open to talking about his life and matters related to faith.
My friend from South Carolina and Philly and his significant other plan on going out on the pontoon boat with Helen and me at High Rock Lake soon where I serve as the minister with The High Rock Lake Ministry.
I'm sure we'll laugh a lot, enjoy some swims, maybe do some fishing. We'll definitely take a ride on the Sea-Doo jet skis. Prior to their arrival, I pray, "God, may we enjoy some faith conversations too." I find the conversations we have while we're immersed in water especially are revealing.
To sum it up, what I say and how I go about witnessing is far from perfect, but then again I am too. I'm never quite sure what form witnessing will take. Most of the time I listen. Most of the time I care. I try to walk the Christlike way. I know actions speak loudly. They open up the door for verbal witnesses to occur. I'm not responsible for the results, but I am responsible for planting the seeds.
I hope some how some way faith conversations become like a salve that will help my new friends open up to the love of the crucified and risen Christ, get to know him as Friend, Savior, Lord. I know these conversations will help me grow.
Before I go, I invite you to join me as we ponder the following questions:
When is that magical moment that occurs when we move from being acquaintances to becoming friends? What must happen for me to care enough to reach out a helping hand and share what I care about most?
When do I lift up the name of Jesus?
Getting curious about the lives of others along with a desire to have faith conversations will do more than help us navigate challenges together.
Along the way, we will fall deeper in love with Jesus, love others and ourselves more.
Do you want an adrenaline rush, one that never runs out, one that opens doors to a way of relating that transforms the world?
Dear God, help us embody and share the faith!
コメント