So, Shane and I were at Wal-Mart last night when we bumped into an employee who looked familiar to both of us. I shouted “Hey!” to him when we made eye contact, thinking he was giving me a look back like he knew me…turns out we never met before (I think Shane and I are just familiar with seeing him around Wal-Mart) but somehow he got into a conversation with us about the Bible and Christianity. He started by asking, “So…Baptism is what gets you saved, right?” I laughed inappropriately and said, “Uh, no.” When I realized how offensive I was, I explained that some Christians believe that, but I feel like the Bible more proves that it’s a denial of self and relationship with Christ that brings one to salvation. He disagreed and went on to give me all these verses (quoted) about being baptized with water that gets you saved (he pulled them out of context but I will explain later in my next blog). After Shane and I showed disagreement, he changed the subject and went into talking about how there are so many churches in the Birmingham area and none of them seem to be doing any ministry. We actually agreed with him here, and got into a conversation about how we’re in the Bible belt and people here go to church because they always have and feel like it’s what gets them to heaven. Let me also add that no one will admit to this, but will say that it’s an obligation and to those who stop going they will say, “If you stop going to church now, you will never come back,” as if they fearfully think if you drop out of church you will lose Christ. Anyway, after talking about all of this, dude at Wal-Mart gives us his church business card and asks us to come to service on Sunday.
At the beginning of our conversation, I was glad to talk to the guy, thinking that he was not a Christian, but I thought he had started reading the Bible (since he had all those verses in mind). At the end of the conversation, I was just angry. First of all, why the hell would you complain about not hearing of churches doing ministry in our area, then give us a card to your church? I’m sorry, but I have never heard of your church before (there are hundreds of churches in the Birmingham area) and think that if your church was doing some awesome ministry, I would have heard about it by now, right? As frustrated as I was about him handing us his card, I realized that most churches in the area are like this. I’ve had PLENTY of church members tell me about how awesome their services and church ministry are (so please don’t comment and brag to me about your church here) and ask me to come check it out… but none of them have shown genuine concern for me. And it’s not just me. I have several friends and acquaintances that have experienced the same frustrations. If your church is doing awesome ministry, people outside of the church should know about it experientially. You shouldn’t have to tell people that your church does awesome ministry. They should see it and experience it. Talk is cheap. Sorry I just went on a rant, but I just wished we all as Christians would practice the first two commandments, “Love the Lord Your God with all your heart,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” These are the two most important commandments and for some reason they are the hardest to follow. Might I also just complain about myself and confess I am always talking about how I want to go out of my way and care for others, showing them the love of Christ, but I am more talk then I do. I’ve been trying to do the “Love your neighbor” literally and find ways to care for them and build a relationship with them. The best way I know how to show love is through cooking and giving. So, I have been cooking/baking food and bringing it to my neighbors and was feeling pretty good about it. I know the family next door on a first-name basis and have been talking forever about having them over for dinner. I have told some friends about this, and one of them told me the other day, “I pulled a Shauna and had my neighbor over for dinner last night.” Ouch! I had been talking about it so long that my friend had beat me to it, and actually thought she was just following after me! Christ says, “Whatsoever you do to the least of these, you also have done for Me.” So my dear friends, what are we doing for Christ? Are we trying to get Him into our church (wanting his tithe money more than anything) or are we bringing Him food when He is poor? Are we complaining about His rebellion during our church services, or are we loving Him unconditionally? I confess I am guilty of all of this and I need to go out and just do. I am going to make my first step in changing this attitude of mine and go invite my neighbors over for dinner!
