YO!
No, I have not turned into a partier since coming to Africa. My last post was about the boda (taxi) drivers I'm building relationships with. They are a great group of guys. I've been living here for 7 months now and they are the only ones who have bought me a drink (it was pop, for the record). The more time I spend with these guys, the more I know about them.
They, just like me, have bad habits. However, their habits are more socially and morally "wrong" than mine: namely, drinking, smoking and getting high. They are now comfortable enough with me they don't hide it from me anymore and ask me what I think about their habits. For the record, I visit these guys Tuesday and Friday mornings. Their habits have become a part of who they are.
"Wait, CT are you sure you should be hanging out with those guys? Isn't it unsafe?"
If you thought something similar to this, I appreciate your concern. But, look at Jesus. These are exactly the kind of guys he would hang out with. So, if I profess with my mouth that I love God, my actions better back that up. This is exactly where I need to be. And, those of you who know me, know that I like to live on the edge anyway.
But check it, Jesus is so cool that He is starting to have an impact. These guys know about the bible. and can tell me some of the stories. They are beginning to ask me about my faith and what I believe. Even today, I shared with one of the men from Matthew 25. It's the story about the ten virgins waiting on the bridegroom. We studied that because he specifically asked if we could look at that story!
God is moving in these men and they don't even know it yet. Once you've experienced the heart of Christ, nothing else looks as good anymore. That is what I hope happens with these guys. One drink, one cigarette, one maragi drug and one Jesus conversation at a time.
Keepin it real,
CT
Who you should follow on Twitter: Purzue (@Purzue)
If you need career advice, check them out. They got the hook up!
This makes my heart happy! I have friends on both sides of the moral spectrum- people who's hearts are right but head's are wrong. Some of my church friends think it's just abominable to associate with anyone outside of their moral code....unless of course, we're baptizing them, in which case we've now become their Savior. WRONG WRONG WRONG. Jesus is their Savior. We are His example. He gave us His light to take into the darkness.
ReplyDeleteBy reserving the light for ourselves or our own small comfort zone, we're fulfilling the very stereotype that we as Believers hate- the idea that Christians are narrow-minded, hateful, judgmental. As my grandma would say, "That's not Jesus. Be like Jesus! Always try to be like Jesus."
Thanks for the comments Chelsea! I love the words from your grandma, she is very wise. Keep being like Jesus and keep in the front of your mind why you do it. Thanks for following my story.
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