The art of losing myself

For the last few months as some of you know I have been living in Ghana while studying in University. One of the interesting dynamics for me has been interacting with different people and particularly in the area of religion.

At times this has been beautiful. The relationship between Muslims and Christians as far as I have experienced has been nothing but harmonious. This is incredibly refreshing in an area of a world where this is by no means always the case.

At times it has made me laugh. Ghana must be the most outwardly religious country. Every car has a bumper sticker either Christian or Muslim. My lectures when illustrating points have talked about “the anointing of the Lord on political leaders” and even quoting “vengance is mine saith the Lord”.

While here I have attended a Church fairly different from my own at least in style if not beliefs. I have been fascinated by the language used from the front. The emphasis on blessings, breakthrough etc are not the parts of the Bible that I focus on. This is not to say they aren’t in there but it has simply reinforced my beleif that we all (including myself) are inherently selective about which bits of the Bible we focus on. 

In the last 24 hours Barack Obama has announced his support for Gay marriage. In his interview he justified his view using the Bible:

When we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it’s also the Golden Rule, you know, treat others the way you would want to be treated.”

Within this quote Obama is being inherently selective. I think we run a danger when we say that a view is the only “biblical” view. We all pick and choose. Living in Ghana where they LOVE Obama but hate Gay marriage the reaction has been interesting. Christian friends out here who are genuinly some of the nicest people I have met have put up status updates saying how disgusting Gay marriage is and how shocked and dissapointed in Obama they are with one friend calling on his American friends to change their vote and vote for Romney. 

For my friend and all of us Christians we emphasis areas of the Bible that make sense to us, issues we care about and decide thats what God cares about. There’s that classic quote which says that 

“You know you have created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you hate”

I’m not saying I think Gay marriage is right or wrong thats for another day but what I am saying is that we must recognise that we all pick and choose and on this I am the worst of sinners.

I’m not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.(Romans 1 verse 16)

Am I ashamed?

I dont know.

I have lost count of the number of times people have said to me that they like me because even though its clear that christianity is a huge part of my life I dont try to shove it down their throat.

Is this a compliment?

Am I ashamed?

Sat on the beach with a girl the other day (hello Jenny if you’re reading this) and she tells me of how she thought about Christianity but this girl put her off by being too intense.

Spoke to two girls while walking (notice a theme here) who said they read my blog before knowing me and worried I would be in their face about my faith and how they appreciated it that I wasnt.

Am I ashamed?

Im trying to hold the tension between the verse from Romans earlier on and verses like Matthew where it says: “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”

St Francis said “Preach the Gospel always, when necessary use words”. Do I use this as a get out clause so I dont offend people?

Am I moved more by my non-confrontational personality and my wimpy liberal politics then I am by the word of God. Do I need to start preaching fire and brimstone a bit?

Am I ashamed?

As i listened to a Casting Crowns song today I was reminded of an incident the other day while i was in Leeds and thought I’d share.

So I got off the train from home and had to catch a bus up to my home. As it was about eight at night the bus was gunna be about a fifteen minute wait  i decided to grap a Mc Donalds. Waiting by the bus stop was a homeless guy. As i walked past I had that inevitable twinge ‘go buy him a mc donalds, have a chat’. But as so often i quitened the thoughts of my heart and walked on oast.

I eat my meal feeling pretty rubbush for ignoring him but as I came out to catch the bus there was a young woman sitting and chatting with the homeless guy. As i watched she clearly started to pray for him. And clear as anything I heard God say

“Theo I want to use you to bring in my kingdom but if you dont want to I will use someone else”

WOW. The lyrics of In Me reminded me of this and challeneg me once again

How refreshing to know You don’t need me
How amazing to find that you want me

hello followers. Im off to Ghana in a week for six months. If you wish to keep up with my travel feel free to follow my travel blog. Will try to keep this one updated but wont be on here frequently.