Over the last couple of weeks I had the privlilege of doing some work in Nicaragua. It was even greater to have some students from our youth ministry begin to find themselves as they gave their lives away for other people.
One night after dinner I was sitting on my bunk doing some reading when outside my window I heard these 10 students begin one of those organic conversations that make a youth pastor proud. They began to ask the hard questions of why they were there, if giving vitamins to a child makes a difference, whether sifting sand for several hours was portraying the kingdom with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
After allowing them to talk for 20 minutes or so, I got up and went to just sit and listen to them in a circle. After listening for another 20 minutes or so, I added my 2 cents worth and one student spoke up about whether or not he should be proclaiming or talking to those watching us while we were there.
I have a lot of respect for St. Francis of Assisi. His love for animals and the environment and even his passion for a living a life of poverty to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven was upon them. I would argue that he happens to be most noted for his statement, "Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary, use words." You can see this phrase adorned on posters in many youth rooms, church offices, and his name alone would probably bring that statement to most conversations about him.
I agree with this phrase. In fact, when I heard it in 7th grade, it resonated with me very much. I feel as though it is an invitation to look internally at one's life and discover whether how we live is a reflection of the Good News of Jesus.
I also feel as though this statement can be used as a cop-out. There are times in our lives when proclaiming Jesus with our words is very important. To proclaim the Good News means we we speak of Jesus in what he has done for us and share the culture to which we belong, that being the culture or Kingdom of God.
I'll confess that I have done this in my own life. I've used this phrase and experienced many missed opportunities to advance the Kingdom merely because I wanted my life to speak over my words. I've done this in many ways through the process of my son's cancer journey. I know and fully believe that Christ has done his work in the life of my son. I know that my wife and I have allowed our lives to speak through how we lived in the midst of this journey. Yet I wonder about how much more the Kingdom could advance if I would have been willing to proclaim the work of Christ to those that were watching us.
I don't think this blog is meant to chastise those who feel strongly about living the Good News. In fact, that's where I fall on the spectrum. Yet, I just want to remind us as Christ Followers about the times in which we know we should use our words to advance the Kingdom of God. Many times this comes through the relationships we have formed with those around us.
My passionate student was asking if he should be proclaiming and we had a dialogue about where the Spirit may be leading him in doing so. Any adult in the world would have been proud of what the students did the next day as they were present with people.
Some took to working extra hard to allow their lives to speak more. Others felt it necessary to proclaim the Good News those around them. I think Francis himself would have been proud of both responses with those students in a remote village in Nicaragua.
As Followers of Christ, let's not use Francis' statement as an excuse to not proclaim the Good News in times we know it's necessary. I'd be curious about the advancement results if some of us would do it more. That includes me.
You're loved.
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