For an extra credit assignment in one of my classes I was required to read an excerpt from a book called Simply Christian by N. T. Wright. I have to say, the few chapters that I was required to read made me want to read the whole book. It's incredible. The idea that he presented really opened my eyes to how true the idea is.
Idea: we tend to hide our faith and keep it within us when we should be proclaiming it to those around us who are living in complete darkness without Christ.
(A little background): In the excerpt Wright talks about how there was once this dictator who ruled over a land that had an awful water supply and it was constantly getting polluted and dirty. One day he decided to do something about his land's water supply so that the people could have fresh water and not be so sick and miserable. He built a massive pipe system buried under concrete where the chemicals could be administered to the water unearth the city. Well, a few generations later the pipes exploded and the water from the spring came bursting up from the ground destroying everything in the city.
After giving this imaginary situation, Wright goes on to say this: "We in the Western world are the citizens of that country. The dictator is the philosophy that has shaped our world for the past two or more centuries, making most people materialistic by default. And the water is what we today call 'spirituality,' the hidden spring that bubbles up within human hearts and human societies."
I think that this is one of the best representations of our society today that I have ever come across. It really hits home because I think that it is so true. We as Christians today fail to spread the spring of life that flows through us with others, until one day something is said or done and it all just comes exploding out and no one really knows what to do. The media and society of today is the concrete in the situation. It is blocking us from letting the spring (God) flow from us and into other people's hearts. Why is it hindering us? Shouldn't we be better than that as Christians and still share our faith? Honestly yes, we should be better than that and still make Jesus known to others around us in all that we are and all that we do. But it's hard. Media tells us how we should act, how we should dress, and what we should think. We have to push past that though and step out of our comfort zone and let this life that flows through us be known to those that are walking in darkness.
"Those who don't want their life, and their way of life, disrupted by anything 'religious' can enjoy driving along cornet roads, visiting concrete-based shopping malls, and living in concrete-floored house. Living as if the rumor of God had never existed" (N. T. Wright).
I think that we as Christians are called to be ambassadors of Christ and to proclaim all that he is and all that he did, and has yet to do. This past year my faith and my assurance in my faith has really grown and sparked into something huge. I am no longer afraid of talking about my faith with others that may not know Christ and I am more confident in talking about my faith with my fellow believers. We need to let our faith that is being hidden within us erupt outward to those who need to hear and see it. Especially in today's society and situation, I think that the beauty of Christ and his word needs to be explained and proclaimed from the highest mountain, from sea to sea.
"Now at least it has happened: the hidden springs have erupted, the concrete foundation has burst open, and life can never be the same again" (N. T. Wright).
"So I shout out your name.
From the rooftops I proclaim,
That I am yours.
I am yours. "
(Rooftops- Jesus Culture)
