shiny nails, a new believer and apathetic Christians

"I got to be a part of something incredible today. Leading a guy I just met to Christ."

If I said that to you, what would be your reaction?

That's awesome.
Incredible!
Wow. How did it happen?

or would it be...

Oh that's nice.
Oh yay.
Well, I've seen that guy here before alot. It might just be one of those recommitting things.

Sadly, I see a real complacency in us Christians. That last comment was made by a woman who I shared this with and I immediately responded indignantly "Well it's not our place to judge that," to which she said, "Oh well yes of course, but you know what I mean.' I said ok and walked off to prevent myself from saying something I shouldn't.

Why do we Christians not get excited and estactic over new believers? Where have we lost that excitement? We are so excited to share with other Christians the way God has challenged us and yet when someone we know struggles goes and repents we instantly question if they really meant it and we don't get fully excited.  I know I myself am guilty of this and I want to challenge any Christian who reads this to think about how you have fallen short in this degree.

Christianity for alot of us has become something that is ours and we get stuff out of it and we enjoy this relationship with God but as someone once described it - its like we are sitting in a hot tub, just saturating it and we get all pruny in our faith cuz we're hogging it to ourselves.

This guy that became a Christian this morning - he may fit the stereotype of someone struggling but who flippin well cares. I told him - see all these people in this church. They all look good but I can guarantee you they have struggled with stuff as you have and have done things they're not proud of. In fact this analogy came into my head and maybe it's silly but I'll share it anyways. I just put on fake nails yesterday and this morning my thumb nail fell off. If you didn't see my thumb you'd think I had these classy slick looking nails. My thumb nail is a different story. I've bitten away at it so much it's horrible looking. In fact all my nails look like that . Jay goes crazy when I bite my nails and I admit they look horrible. God gave me this comparison that a lot of the people in church this morning looked like my fake nails- well polished and shiny, spotless Christians. This guy who became a Christian looked more like my thumb nail - shabbier, not churchy and looking completely uncomfortable and out of place. But really all those other people look like my nails underneath the fake layer - we are all shabby and rough looking on the inside and yet we work so hard as Christians to convey a polished look.

I am not drawn to polished Christians . When this guy told me he had been struggling with alcoholism but had been sober for several months I was so honoured he would be so open. Often its the people who are most broken who are vulnerable because they recognize their brokenness. Most Christians are so good at feeling right with God they are so untouchable.

I am the type of person who is closest friends with people who wear their hearts and struggles on their sleeves. I just can't relate to people who have it all together and are just dandy. So if you're like that, we're prob not close. I've been accused of being too deep ha but so what - I was able to tell this guy that I've struggled with depression-type thoughts, anger, bitterness, swearing, and suicidal thoughts in my life and that God has broken through that stuff for me. Granted the swearing is still a struggle and the easy anger but hey I told this guy straight up as I'm telling you that God has been real to me in the darkest of places.

Please if you read this don't just walk away and think oh man Beth's got problems - I mean I do ha I'm pretty messed up sometimes but please be challenged to be honest with where you've struggled because God will use your imperfectness to reach others for Him.
And truly think to yourself the last time you told someone about Jesus.

When was the last time you shared the gospel?
When was the last time you chose to do your own thing over God prompting you to reach out to someone else?
Do you get excited when someone goes up at church to be prayed for?
Or when you hear of someone becoming a Christian?

After this guy accepted Jesus into his life this morning I hugged him and said, "Guess what, you're part of a family of God now. You're my brother. You're the pastor's brother." And do you know what he said? He said, "Wow, a new family. That's great cuz my old family threw me away a long time ago."

Listen here people  - there are so many blessings that God has given us that we take for granted. I know cuz I do too most of the time but I am being convicted now to challenge others in this regard because I feel very strongly that we get more excited about hockey games or tv shows that we do about someone becoming a Christian. And for those watching from the outside, if that's doesn't excite us, then what about God does?