I thought about it, decided against it but after a recent conversation, I decided to write about it. This person whom I met, happened to ask "why do Christians talk differently to me compared to when they pray?" - he was commenting on a church which he is currently attending. And that is what started me on this discussion.
Many Christians appear to have an agenda and I really don't quite know what that agenda is. I have a few theories and they all seem to go back to Christians not being able to relate to people who are not Christians or who are not part of their social circle. Over the years I have attended many churches and one common denominator was that the people were not friendly to me, a stranger. One church even had a 'welcoming person' and I really felt like calling out to the post church coffee drinkers 'don't you welcome strangers here' but thought the better of it.
Talking to strangers or each other, should be the same as talking to God. God doesn't require a special spiritual language for us to pray and we should be as comfortable talking to God as talking to anyone else. I am not denigrating the special time of worship or undermining the holiness of God, but reiterating the biblical fact that God loves everyone equally and so should we, and to me, that means being comfortable and friendly to all people and not just those in our comfort zone.
Although the difference of Jew and Gentile does not apply to current values compared to the problems posed for the early church, yet I see that same mentality still surfaces today. We don't live by rules and ethics but should be allowing God to open our minds to the real world of real people and being loving kind and thoughtful to all.
If you have a problem relaxing with people who are 'different' (whatever that means to you!) then I suggest you change your social habits, have a good look at how Jesus related to people ( how refreshing!), have a long chat with him about your 'problem', then go and be a good caring listener.
Give it a try and you may be pleasantly surprised!
Many Christians appear to have an agenda and I really don't quite know what that agenda is. I have a few theories and they all seem to go back to Christians not being able to relate to people who are not Christians or who are not part of their social circle. Over the years I have attended many churches and one common denominator was that the people were not friendly to me, a stranger. One church even had a 'welcoming person' and I really felt like calling out to the post church coffee drinkers 'don't you welcome strangers here' but thought the better of it.
Talking to strangers or each other, should be the same as talking to God. God doesn't require a special spiritual language for us to pray and we should be as comfortable talking to God as talking to anyone else. I am not denigrating the special time of worship or undermining the holiness of God, but reiterating the biblical fact that God loves everyone equally and so should we, and to me, that means being comfortable and friendly to all people and not just those in our comfort zone.
Although the difference of Jew and Gentile does not apply to current values compared to the problems posed for the early church, yet I see that same mentality still surfaces today. We don't live by rules and ethics but should be allowing God to open our minds to the real world of real people and being loving kind and thoughtful to all.
If you have a problem relaxing with people who are 'different' (whatever that means to you!) then I suggest you change your social habits, have a good look at how Jesus related to people ( how refreshing!), have a long chat with him about your 'problem', then go and be a good caring listener.
Give it a try and you may be pleasantly surprised!
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