The Christian life is great, but at some point in our lives we might reach a point where our own comfort hinders us from looking at the needs of others.
I have to admit that I have become lazy over the years. Sadly I am not referring to my work. Much worse, I am talking about my attitude as a Christian.
It is easy to find yourself in a safe haven, especially if you are mainly surrounded by other Christians. Yet the real challenge begins when we step out of our comfort zone. For me, however, it does not stop there. The majority of us work or are friends with people, who do not share our belief. We might also, for example in my case, not have had a Christian upbringing. The problem I find myself faced with now is not that those around me do not know that I am a believer or that I find it difficult to tell them about it.
Since I became a Christian when I was 17, most people have accepted my faith and were interested in my lifestyle. But what happens, when you go a step further and actually do what God said in Matthew 28:19-20?
"[Go] and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (NIV)
What I noted is that if people were curious about my faith, it lasted as long as I did not make any attempt "to evangelise" them. But is that not what God asked us to do in the above-mentioned verses?
Whenever I meet new people, I will let them know that I am a committed Christian. But what does this actually mean? Can our level of commitment be measured by the frequency of our prayers, how often we read the Bible, go to church and attend prayer meetings? I believe that being committed as a Christian does not only entail that you take responsibility of your own life, but that you also let others know about what Jesus did for them 2013 years ago.
I have come to realise that I have turned into a selfish Christian, which actually is an oxymoron in itself - being a Christian and being self-centred at the same time. How is that supposed to work? I am saved, so I am good, but what about the millions of others, who do not know God. What will happen to them? It makes me cringe that I cannot even remember the last time I shared the Gospel with someone. There are no excuses for that, not a busy work schedule, my private life, or the fear of rejection.
My husband is my role model. He is one of those Christians who goes out on the street on Saturdays and shares his faith passionately. It is tough, especially as we live in a Muslim-dominated area; yet nothing can stop him. I wish I was more like him. But wishful thinking is not enough. I believe that having good examples around you, who inspire you, and thinking about how this world needs Jesus are essential in becoming pro-active. It requires discipline, boldness and a renewal of our minds to look beyond our own needs. Following in Jesus' footsteps, that is what God has called us to do. Time to refocus and make Him proud.
