VirtuaLife

I’ve been wondering for a while about what makes me… me. Who is this Theodore that everyone is friends with? They say he is inspiring, intense, committed, extroverted, uplifting, and funny of all things! That's not the Theodore I know. Sometimes I play along, but my heart is not in it. Instead, I'm asking myself, why? Why is this Theodore person so radically different from the me that I know? I acknowledge I have elements of all these things at times, but certainly not enough of any particular one to get excited about. People, settle!

I briefly entertained the thought of everyone being blind, deaf and dumb, but survival instinct told me this probably wouldn’t be the best approach to resolving the issue. Instead, I found the answer tonight. On the radio, of all places.

“We are overcomers.” the radio announced as I made my way home. Overcomers? What does that mean? What could that mean? Overcoming is a word often associated with a physical context. Overcoming physical disability is a circumstance we might be well acquainted with. To overcome means to triumph over or to render the problem null and void. Yet for every physical context there is an associated cognitive parallel as well. The ability of one to banish – a word of lesser strength would be a disservice – problematic thoughts. And, for Christians, there is also ‘overcoming’ in the spirit realm.

Now, if I were to claim that I have overcome an ankle sprain only to subsequently decline an invitation to play sports because I wanted to ‘take it slow’, I would be a hypocrite. If I were to forgive someone for the hurts they have caused me only to shun them a place at my dinner table, I would be a hypocrite. If I were to share convictions about my God being victorious over sin only to succumb to its temptations some time down the track… I would be a hypocrite.

A hypocrite.

I was talking to Michelle yesterday, after she shared her machine-gun testimony (I thought it was an understandable speed, though?) and once again, what was going to be a pat on the back and some small words of encouragement turned into a full-blown conversation. I remember at the end, she remarked to me, every time I talk to you I end up feeling inspired, to which I replied instinctively, you don’t talk to me enough then, hahaha! But inside my mind, I was thinking, what did I say? I was just having a chat! Then she said something that really captured me. Everything you do, you can link back to God.

It wasn’t until tonight that I fully understood the magnitude of what she said. What was she saying? I believe she was saying that I’d learnt to overcome. I not only claimed victory in God, but I’d wrapped myself in it and, get this, was prepared to live it. You see, the word overcome is a verb. I won’t insult your intelligence – yes, you know that verbs are ‘doing’ words. It implies an action. An action! How many Christians are prepared to act on what they believe?!...

Not enough.

And that’s very sad. As the Pastor Mark (from Ipswich Community Regional Church) aptly said, we are the salt to this earth. We are the light to our world. The operative word is ‘are’. We have a purpose that exists in our current context! It doesn’t matter whether we are spat upon, despised, hated for what we do (thankfully, against the fruits of the Spirit no crime can be labelled, Galatians 5:22-23)… we still need to do it. And in order to do this effectively, we need to have overcome. What are we going to tell God on that final day, having failed our commission? Uhhh… sorry, God. I thought someone else would do that for me. I wasn’t ready when you called. In fact, I wasn’t ever ready. Because, you see, I was too busy hiding in this cupboard. Yukk.

The speaker finished off by saying this. “If I was a fireman sitting in my truck and there was a house burning down with people inside just down the street, but I didn’t help, what would I be? If I was a scientist who’d just discovered a cure to cancer but didn’t release it to the community what would I be? If someone was drowning and I had a rope in my hands but didn’t throw it to them, what would I be?

I think I’m beginning to understand this inspirational Theodore that other people see. It’s not necessarily about the passion – lots of other Christians are passionate. It’s not about the education, either – lots of other Christians are well grounded in Bible theology. Neither is it about the personality – there are lots of other bubbly go-getter types around. It’s not even about my history – I’m one of those Christians ‘cursed’ with a clean past. No, it’s about my mentality. My approach. You see, if I die today, I win. I will be in Heaven with my Father. If I live for another 50 years, I also win. I can only imagine the lives God has lined up for me to embrace. If for some reason I lose everything, become crippled and have only my mind to call my own, I also win. Nothing can deprive me of the freedom I have found in my Father.

Because I have overcome.

In Faith, Hope and Love!

- - - EDIT - - -

I realise this issue treads dangerously close the 'artificial, always-happy Christian' that has been subject to criticism (and rightly so, perhaps).

Firstly, for my friends, you know me. You know I wouldn't be bothered with such superficialities as painting a happy face if internally I was experiencing turmoil. Take my life and judge me against my words if you will. I'm not embarrassed of who I am.

For those who need more substantiation on this issue; for example, the cynics among you who regard this as a form of relgious denial... let's clear something up. I am not rejecting my circumstances. Instead, as a Christian who believes very much in the power of my God, I am acknowledging that He has the power to lift me up beyond my circumstances and grant me a new lease on life. It's not rejection because I can still empathise with those who are in similar situations. Because I can acknowledge the potential impact of inaction on myself. I challenge you to find a 'person in denial' who's self-awareness corroborates their claims, and whose life stands testament to their words. But I won't hold my breath, and it would be prudent if you didn't either.

If what I say finds a place to stay in your mind tonight, don't do nothing about it. One doesn't taste-test a dish, find out it's good and then walk away from it. There is a God who longs to take you on a journey of self-discovery, a God who desires to show you love so perfect that it completes you. If what I say finds a place to stay in your mind tonight, begin to seek Him. Seek, and you will find.

In Faith, Hope and Love!