Blessings?

As Christians we know we are supposed to be witnesses. But most of up don’t really want to stand on soap boxes and some of us find it difficult and uncomfortable to work the four spiritual laws into casual conversation. So we find other ways to testify for our faith like saying “God bless you” when somebody sneezes, “bless you” also counts and perhaps you could say “Jesus Bless you” for bonus points. We also might say “God bless you” as a closing greeting of a conversation. The great thing about blessings is that they’re so positive almost nobody will be offended. But when they are dropped in casual conversation they also communicate loud and clear “I am a Christian and would love to tell you about Jesus, if you want, but I don’t want to pressure you or be confrontational (unless we are talking about homosexuality or abortion)” At least that is sort of what I hear. It’s also a great test phrase, kinda like drawing a fish in the sand. If the other person is already a Christian they can now feel comfortable telling you which church they go to or sing a verse of their favourite Matt Redman song (stuffchristianslike.com). Of course it’s also kind of awkward because you know they just kinda tried to witness to you and perhaps you don’t want to discourage them so you don’t do anything and just smile encouragingly.

This is what happened to me: I was driving the ice cream truck...

And I stopped for a nice family who was buying their child ice cream for the first time. I am wearing my big colourful “cat in the hat” style hat that I always wear selling ice cream. Since it was the little boy’s first ice cream truck experience I wanted it to be a good one. So after delivering the ice cream into his hands I performed a quick but impressive juggling routine. In response, the mother tipped me and said “God bless you!” I responded “Thank you, you too” and sung a little “Blessed Be Your Name” in my head. What made it a particularly good witness was the tip, a small but immediate and tangible blessing, symbolic of spiritual blessings.

The only thing better would be a blessing instead of a tip at a restaurant. I don’t know if people actually do this but I feel like sometimes we attach a cash value to blessings. It’s like we think we can spend some of the treasure we know we are storing up in heaven with all our witnessing on credit and let God settle up the bill. It’s like if we say “God bless you” instead of giving spare change, we are sure that YHWH’s reign of shalom is going to pour down from heaven bringing healing and abundance to that homeless person’s life, not necessarily immediately, or we might wait to see it happen, but sometime while we have moved onto our other important errands. We also have just offered to talk about Jesus to that person (if we ever see them again) and we have an amazing testimony to share at our life group. Don’t get me wrong, I think blessings can be important and powerful but, precisely because they are, let’s not use them as a cop outs.

Is the phrase “God Bless You” effective in witness?

Why is it difficult to talk about our spirituality?

Have you ever received “spiritual help” when you needed physical help?

Has Soul Cravings given you a format that helps you relate your faith to life in a way that makes it easier to talk about?

Walking in it...

I have walked two pilgrimages, one in Southern Scotland into Northumbria and one in Spain.

Left: St. Cuthbert’s Way Scotland.

Both were about 100 km and took 4-5 days, walking between 16 and 30 km a day. Nothing puts distance in perspective like walking. In Spain after finishing our walk to the coast we drove back to our starting location in a bit over an hour. Walking is the ultimate slowing down. In my experience, walking has placed me in connection to the places I am in a way that I don’t experience with wheels - the feel of the earth or concrete under your feet reminding you with every step that you are right here. In a car or even on a skateboard I find myself free to navigate around and through my surroundings. However, when I am walking I am brutally and sometimes beautifully confronted by them.

Below: Camino Santiago – Finisterre, Spain
In Spain, we walked through numerous beautiful little villages, saw sunsets, sat in fields, climbed hills - we ate bread and soup, met locals and pilgrims, laughed and walked. On our ONE HOUR drive back we sat in our air conditioned bus listening to the radio. Numerous things I have been reading have discussed the degree to which we are able to live in a virtual world completely disconnected from the places and people around us. We do need not leave our house or talk to our neighbour or listen to the rain. Technology allows us the opportunity to choose who and what we will be connected with from a near limitless selection. More over we are able to stay connected more easily to an infinite number of people through Twitter, Facebook, Skype, telephone etc. We create, maintain and participate in numerous networks of friends, family and colleagues. In fact, I find that there are so many people that are so “easily” accessible that it can be almost overwhelming to imagine developing new relationships as I feel overwhelmed with maintaining the ones I already have. I find it difficult to want to build friendships with my neighbours because I’m so busy trying to maintain relationships with people all over the lower mainland. And amusingly, I will often not want to drive the distance to spend time with friends.

So where does this leave me? Too often it leaves me watching TV. My conclusion is I am going to begin walking at least 3 mornings a week in my neighbourhood. This is a somewhat unpleasant decision. I don’t and have never like walking and have only come to have an appreciation of it after my two pilgrimages. I also don’t like suburbs. When I do choose to go walking I prefer parks, green belt etc. However, in my desire to learn “to be where I am” I have decided to start walking my neighbourhood. I intend to do this in the morning and anticipate success in three areas: 1. I will get up and dressed and do something active, which means I am more likely to do something else productive before I go to work. 2. I will be available to say “Hi” and meet people in my neighbourhood. 3. I will pray for my neighbours and neighbourhood.

Walking is a common metaphor in the Bible for our relationship with God and life. This is probably in part due to the pervasive nature of walking in the Ancient Near East. Have we lost something with our quick and easy mobility? Or can we simply switch the metaphor and say “Jesus take the wheel”? I think walking teaches us about life in a way that driving doesn’t.

Do you know your neighbours?
Do you walk your neighbourhood?
Do you have time?
Book Recommendation: The Way is made by Walking by Paul Boers