While we were down in the Florida Keys for vacation last month, Brad and I stopped in at a roadside shack to pick up some snapper, shrimp and scallops to make fish stew for dinner. The owner of the operation, a rugged fisherman with weather-worn skin, startling blue eyes and a Cape Cod accent, struck up a conversation with us. We stood chatting in the parking lot for 15 minutes, Brad with a plastic bag of fish clutched in his hands. When the conversation turned to jobs, I told the fisherman and his wife that I was a writer. I left it at that, intentionally not mentioning that I am a very particular kind of writer. A Christian writer.
I tend to volunteer that specific detail only with certain audiences – with other Christians or with people I know won’t judge me or make inaccurate assumptions based on my job title. Even after three years of blogging about faith, I am reluctant to label myself as a Christian writer. I wonder, sometimes, what some of my old friends think – the people who have known me the longest; the people who knew me when I was, at best, an agnostic – a person who never mentioned God or the Bible. Ever. I wonder sometimes what they think when I post something about faith or spirituality on Facebook. Do they roll their eyes? Do they think, “Here she goes again.”
Jesus’ very first preaching gig was in his hometown of Nazareth, just after he emerged from his forty-day tussle with Satan in the wilderness. The townspeople weren’t expecting this from him. After all, until now, Jesus had been nothing more than a simple carpenter. In fact, when he first stood up in the synagogue, unrolled the scroll with Isaiah’s words, and spoke, the people were amazed. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:22)
Their incredulity quickly turned to dismay, though, when Jesus preached the second part of his message – a message they didn’t want to hear. In fact, they were so angry they attempted to drive Jesus out of Nazareth and push him over the cliff on the outskirts of town.
I suspect at that point I would have thrown in the towel. I suspect I would have deemed my first foray into preaching an abysmal failure and gone back to carpentry. But Jesus didn’t do that. Instead, he made his way to Capernaum, where he preached again and drove a demon out of a man for good measure. In the face of what seemed like utter failure, Jesus kept on – he kept focused on his mission, despite what looked like an obvious setback.
My story is a bit different than Jesus’. After all, he didn’t hesitate to share his message. He wasn’t afraid of being judged. But still, there’s a lesson for me here, too.
It seems I have two choices. I can regret the instances in which I’ve failed to rise to the occasion and state my faith with conviction. I can bemoan my weakness and lack of faith. Or I can move on, not looking back in regret and remorse, but ahead in anticipation of a new opportunity to share my faith.
The next time I hesitate to claim myself as a Christian writer, I can take a cue from Jesus. He knew the Nazarenes would not accept his message; he knew it wasn’t what they wanted to hear. But he said it anyway, with courage and conviction.
Questions:
Do you ever hesitate to share your faith? Is it hard for you to convey a message you think people might not want to hear?
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Oh Michelle, the title of this caught my eye … because my “word for the year” is cour_ge (explained more here http://wp.me/p2CjdR-JQ). Today I’m swimming in it as my resignation after 20 years with my current job goes public. Really, for me at the moment it’s cour_ge + grief. And that’s OK.
yes. to all of it.
Oh, Michelle. Conviction is one thing, and you were clearly convicted regarding the importance of calling yourself specifically a Christian writer, but there is another way to look at this. Do Christian engineers or Christian chemists or Christian waitresses feel the need to specifically state their beliefs along with their profession? And many of them, I know, openly engage their beliefs by way of their work. Honestly, we are commanded to carry Christ’s banner before us no matter what we do. I am a writer. I am a Christian. If someone can read what I write and not understand both without me saying so out loud, I am doing something wrong far greater than a lapse of witnessing.
I JoAnne Potter’s comment about Christian waitresses, engineers, etc. But I see your point. I am guarded with specific details about various parts of my life. When someone asks how many children I have, I often say one. I don’t want to share that I have buried a child. So…after reading this post, I will ponder how often I avoid sharing the “Christian” part…thanks, Michelle for this post.
I get what you’re saying, Michelle. Unfortunately. ha. And I grew up as a believer.
But oddly, sometimes the hardest people for me to openly speak the name of Jesus to are some of my Christian friends. Many are more comfortable talking about “church” or “Bible”; less so about “Jesus.” I want to take more cues from Him as well…
I so agree with you Lisa. It is hard to ‘talk Jesus’ with other Christians. I’m always hearing ‘church talk’ or ‘Bible arguing’ but seldom ‘real fellowship’ about HIM and all He’s doing or done for us. We call it fellowship when we’ve got our potluck all laid out and we’re engaging in talk about the job, the kids, the whatever. It just baffles my mind at how easily we can discuss any number of subjects under the sun, but have trouble talking about The One whom we’re ‘supposed’ to be focused on. Makes me wonder sometimes.
Yes, it’s easy to slip into speaking Christianeze around other believers. It’s much more difficult to honestly share Christ’s faithfulness through trials and failures.
They still don’t accept me in my “Nazereth”. I am sure that they still see me as the messed up kid, teenager and young adult … I can relate, it’s things like this that hold me back also. But all we can and will do is keep marching on to that beat of our HIGH calling in hope of overcoming all of those obstacles (ours and theirs). !Bless you.
Coming from someone on Facebook who has known you your entire life (since kindergarten) I can say that I am impressed. I am impressed with your writing ability, your photography, your ability to learn and keep up with technology, and most of all… your courage. Courage for writing the truth, even at the risk of embarrassment (as you say). Being honest with yourself and others is never easy on this public platform. I’m so proud of you and how you’ve grown spiritually. You should be proud to call yourself a Christian writer. You are touching many lives.
Wow, thanks Michele. This made me smile big!!
You know, I never thought of Jesus’ first “preaching gig” that way – thank you for painting it in such a relatable light. You are good at that! And, I agree with JoAnne that it may not always be necessary to introduce yourself as a “Christian writer.” I think that Jesus wants us to look for opportunities to witness; and sometimes the door opens with less resistance when we go slow:
What do you do?
I’m a writer.
What kind of writer?
I focus on my faith, Christianity.
I think that type of conversation may allow for deeper connections, rather than hitting someone over the head with it, right away. I know it is easier to be up front about your faith through written words rather than spoken ones (believe me, I feel this and struggle with it) – but I think you are making Jesus proud with what you say, write and do. And, I’m glad you are sharing it here.
It is difficult, sometimes, knowing how much to share in a given situation. While not wanting to miss an opportuinty to share our love of Christ, we also don’t want to needlessly cause discomfort…or start meaningless debates…
Thank you, Michelle, for your transparency in sharing your own struggles.
Well, I’m a writer and a Christian, but I don’t publish in the Christian market, so I’d never say I’m a Christian writer because to me, that implies a particular type of publisher.
On the other thing, I don’t care what non-Christians think about me, so I can use the Christian label with them. But other Christians? God, save me!
Yes, Michelle, I certainly hear you here! As a relative late-comer to Christianity, I’ve certainly had struggles expressing my faith to others except through my writing. One thing that might help is to have business cards with you when you travel (or, go anywhere for that matter) with your blog address there along with the word “Christian”. Someone who might be uncomfortable about religion might just be curious enough to see what your writing is all about.
Thanks for your inspiration always!
Jesus could have gone into a far land and been the superstar preacher from “over there.” But as you point out, he rolled up his sleeve and went to the toughest crowd he know — his friends and family. That’s where I fall down. I still have friends who don’t know I blog. I have family that I’ve never shared my writing with. It’s becuase they have seen me at my worst — temper tantrums, pouting, dysfunctional, manipulative. It’s so much easier to have a fresh crowd.
Yes. I hesitate.
But I’m getting better.
🙂
I worked so long in a place where identifying myself as anything other than an English teacher was taboo. I couldn’t profess politics, much less faith. I still run a little scared. RIDICULOUS. I know.
Great word here. Always.
Thank you for the Linkup party today!!
I think it is hardest to share Christ with those who have known us all our lives than strangers we meet on the street. Thank you for challenging me to share Christ more.
I’ve learned it is always valuable to talk about Jesus to anyone & everyone. If we’re to advance the Gospel message, boldness in Christ is our mandate. How do we get boldness? I think it starts, for me, with taking Jesus at His word when He says, ” Greater works than [His] shall we do.” That’s us! Glory to God:) Go, Michelle, go!!!! A word from you about your faith in Jesus has the potential to rock someone’s world:)
My husband and I decided a few years ago to dance primarily to Christian music when we have the opportunity to perform in large, secular settings, as a way of spreading the Gospel to these audience. Quite a few have rolled their eyes & some attempted to discourage us, but the Bible says we should not be ashamed of the Gospel. Thanks for the great post & for hosting, & God bless!
Not exactly on point, but your post reminded me of a friend who is the wife of a missionary. She said she struggles with having to visit churches and ask for money to raise support. She told me how much she appreciates her husband’s attitude that their job is simply to ask. Whether or not a church responds and whether or not they receive financial support is completely up to God. I think the same principle applies with sharing our faith. My job is simply to bear witness to who God is and what I’ve seen him do. The results are up to him.
Linking late, grateful for your grace 🙂
It’s even worse when you tell people you’re a pastor. There are all kinds of looks, questions, or assumptions being made. I don’t always volunteer the information either, but I’m happy to talk if someone seems interested. I think it’s that fine line of Holy Spirit discernment and being sensitive to God’s leading. I’m not a 100% of course, but I am learning. And I definitely know what you’re talking about. Thanks Michelle.
I’m so happy to see you here, Jason – and thank you for your insights on being a pastor. That makes me feel better!