The last couple days, I have spent a lot of hours hanging out at Speakers Circle listening to Brother Jed. For those of you who are not familiar with Brother Jed, here is a quick summary of what he does:
Brother Jed is a Christian preacher who travels around and speaks out in the open at college campuses around the country. His methods are very controversial and confrontational, and full of provocative phrases that will draw a crowd. Many Christians and non-Christians alike are offended by some of the things he says. That being said, most of his beliefs are in-line with the majority of protestant Christians.
When I first came to Mizzou, I was pretty offended by Brother Jed and his fellow preachers. They talked about how they could barely remember the last time they had sinned and routinely called the people who stuck around to listen things like "whores" or "masturbators." I would say things like, "They are preaching hate," and, "I don't agree with the way they are going about this. It's just making Christians look bad."
I have a pretty different view on all this now. I think what Brother Jed does is pretty awesome. I still don't think I would ever say some of the ridiculous things he says, and I certainly still disagree on a few things he says....but it's hard to be critical of someone who is preaching Christ when I'm ashamed about my faith so often.
If nothing else, it gets people talking. It is amazing how easy it is to strike up a conversation about God with people in the crowd listening to Jed. This week, I had some sweet talks with various folks and even made some connections with a few people who are interested in checking out the church I go to at Mizzou. Incredible. I wish I had done this more during my college career.
Something Brother Jed said to me Thursday evening has been on my mind a lot. He asked me if I had accepted Christ, and I told him that I had. He asked me when, and I told him it happened about 12 years ago. Then he pointed toward part of the crowd and said, "You need to be discipling these people."
I'm not sure why this hit me so hard. Sometimes, it's good to be told what to do.
This got me thinking a bit about college ministry...like I need more post-graduation options. I want to be a teacher, but I also want to talk to people about Jesus. I know these are not mutually exclusive, but still.
Anyway, if nothing else, Brother Jed's statement to me has renewed a sense of importance about telling people about a relationship with Jesus.
Because this relationship is it. This is it! This isn't a part of us, just an aspect of our lives. This is why we exist, how we exist, who we are, and what we need to focus on. This is everything. The rest is a pale counterfeit to what Christ can give us.
Earlier this semester, a pastor named Dave Megill said that God is not a "harsh master who cheats." I lost it during that talk because, subconsciously, I have viewed God as that cheating, harsh master. I viewed God as weak, lacking the power to bring real joy, real holiness, and real love. I viewed God as the bringer of salvation, but yet too weak to actually affect my life. But I don't believe that's true anymore.
I hear Christians talking all the time about how they will keep falling into sin despite their relationship with God. But I don't think it's supposed to be that way. God can and will help us break out of our sinful ways. I don't know that we'll ever stop sinning completely, but to view it as something that's going to happen no matter what is a terrible perspective.
Because holiness is possible! Joy is possible too! God does want us to be happy despite our circumstances. He can break us out of depression, out of lust, out of selfishness, out of hatred. He is real; He is powerful; He is not a harsh master; and He doesn't cheat us.
He wants us to have life more abundant, and that's what is waiting for us. We just need to believe it enough to throw away all the crap that's holding us back from the truth that we all feel.
I know this post is pretty random and disconnected. I want to put my thoughts down a bit more in-depth on some of these topics in the near-ish future. In the meantime, let's keep seeking the truth and throwing away those things holding us back....not to earn God's approval, but simply to know Him more and live the abundant life He wants us to have.
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