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Monday, March 29, 2010

Communication

I was in college before I realized other people could be interesting.

I knew this about family. God blessed me with extremely funny brothers, a supportive mother and a doting father. I love each of them with my whole heart and prefer their company above most others on most days.

In college, I took a class on communication from one of the greatest teachers I have ever known, Dr. Dennis Glenn. Through that class, I learned to notice people other than my family.

This was not always good. Some people can be more annoying than interesting. Alas, very few of them know who they are.

I have talked with many people since college. Some are excellent communicators. Some are not. I've spoken with a few who remind me of Jayne from Firefly ("How did you learn to form human speech?").

I've said before and I'll say again, communication with you is my responsibility. If I have a message to convey, it is up to me to convey it.

I would normally apply this to fiction writing. I have before. Today I apply it to all forms of communication.

Our country is smack in the middle of a war of worldviews. We think we're right; they think they're right. It is polarizing the country and may well rip us apart.

I am a political activist, but I hope I am a Christ follower first. I do not place my trust in the government of man, because man is a fallen being whose every tendency from birth is to do evil. Government will not save us.

On the other hand, as a Christ follower, I am aware of certain universal truths, truths like "everybody needs Jesus." Only Christ can change a heart. Only Christ offers eternal salvation, not just peace on earth. But peace on earth can be a side-effect of a Christ-changed heart. History teaches us that after revival comes a decrease in crime, drinking, gambling and abuse. Society as a whole becomes better behaved with Christ as Lord.

We live in a world where people prefer to think any kind of spirituality is good. As long as you believe in something, you'll be okay. As a result, we have a lot of people headed straight to hell on a road of good intentions.

Christ will return to earth to judge the living and the dead. The Bible makes this very clear. It also clearly states no one knows when that will happen. It does give some signs to look for: wars, natural disasters, alliances between countries who have never allied before (Russia and Iran, for example), the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.

It is our duty as Christ followers to communicate truth no matter the personal cost. I fully expect to be arrested someday, in America, for proclaiming the truth the Bible teaches. I am okay with that. Jesus says if I do not acknowledge Him before men, He will not acknowledge me before His Father. That frightens me more.

I urge my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to be ready, as well. The world is out to silence us. It does not want to hear about Jesus.

As authors, it is our duty to communicate Christ. In our words, spoken and written, we must speak about the only one Who can save the world. In our books, our op-ed pieces, our church devotionals, even our FB status updates, we must remember to speak Christ.

This world is running out of time. We are not promised tomorrow. Today could be the last day to tell that friend about Jesus, the most interesting person anyone can ever know. Be ready to introduce Him. Doing so will change our world, one person at a time.

1 comment:

  1. I have goosebumps...you communicated your message that well. Beautiful reminder of our reason to exist as Christians. Thank you!

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