What I’ve Learned and Two Prayers

Posted by Mike O on: 03.26.2009 /

My journey here at Off-The-Map has lasted about 2 1/2 years and it has truly been a good time. By “good,” I don’t necessarily mean “fun” (although it was), but rather “important” or “necessary” in the formation of my own spiritual character. The journey I have been on with y’all has truly been “good.” I don’t think I could ever list all that I’ve learned here. But I’m going to list a few.

I’ve learned the value of listening. I’ve learned that if I expect an atheist (or any non-Christian) to consider my position, I need to be willing to consider theirs. And by consider, I mean to give the thought that there might not be a god a chance to actually be true! And that was scary for me. Actually, I thought it would be scarier than it was, but because I have now considered the alternative, my confidence that there really is a God is stronger than it ever was! I’ve actually considered it.

I’ve learned to look at Christianity in general, and my own faith in particular, from your perspective. After all, how will Christians ever effectively communicate what we so adamantly cling to if we can’t (or won’t) relate to those who don’t agree with us?” OK, I know that sounds a bit “evangelical” but, if the Jesus I believe in is real, I think that’s a question HE would ask!

I’ve learned that I can’t prove that there is a God. And surprisingly, to me at least, I’ve learned that he is not obvious to many who disbelieve! I’ve come to believe that the idea that all people “have a god-shaped hole in their heart” is not as true as I once thought. I mean, maybe it’s true, but there isn’t this overwhelming sense of emptiness in many non-believers. I thought there was, but after 2 ½ years in good relationships with atheists, it just doesn’t seem to be the case.

I’ve learned that I am a missionary to two vastly disparate groups of people - the atheist and the Christian church. To the atheist, my call was to narrow the chasm between atheists and Christians - to somehow make those of us who believe “less repulsive” to those of you who don’t. And to Christians, my call was to help us see the need to listen, to look at ourselves from your perspective, and to understand that the things we do sometimes don’t make much sense and sometimes actually keep you away. We should stop doing those things.

I’ve learned a LOT from you! I am a better man for it. And I am a better Christ-follower for it. My future with God has been shaped by my history with you. And for that, I THANK YOU!

I leave you with two prayers (I AM a Christian, after all :) ).

My first prayer is for the Christians you will continue to come into contact with. May the fruit of the Holy Spirit become more evident in our lives. For it isn’t what we believe that will compel atheists to follow Jesus, but the evidence (or fruit) of Jesus in our lives that will provide the attraction. If the God we believe in is real, He can draw people to Himself.

Galatians 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Christians, we need to LOVE more. We need to have more JOY. We need more PEACE. We need to exhibit more PATIENCE. We need to show more KINDNESS. We need more GOODNESS. We need more FAITHFULNESS. We need to act with more GENTLENESS. We need to have more SELF CONTROL. When others see these qualities in us, then maybe – just maybe – they’ll consider that what we believe, and the one in whom we believe, is actually true.

My prayer for atheists is a little more difficult because I know that you don’t believe any of this. But that’s OK. My prayer is simply that if the God I believe in is real, and if He somehow begins to reveal Himself to you, that you would consider it - that you would not hold the actions, lame arguments and general unattractiveness of His people against Him.

My hope is that I have fulfilled my purpose here – not to lead anyone to Christ, but simply to make the idea of following Jesus a little less ridiculous.

And with that, I bid you adieu.

Mike O

Copyright 2010 Off The Map | Terms of Service | Contact Webmaster | Powered by Wordpress | Admin