I envision the message of faith not as a 15 minute sales pitch to the listener who has endured 50 years of pain, but a 15 year message that is spoken through fishing trips, and rides to work, and shopping dates, and parties and failures that drag one’s heart to the kitchen floor. I envision a message of faith that is crafted through the phileo of friendship, through the brotherly love of friendship, that when the gospel is explained, it is understood not as transcendent ideas swirling between clouds and jet planes, but remembered in the years of earnest friendship.
A friendship in which we no longer condemn, nor condone, but commit one’s life as the gospel message to another person. I envision a message that is spoken daily, like a conversation on dating, sports, and what Simon said on American Idol. For Christ is not a secret, nor a salespitch, but as real and as much a point of pain and pleasure as the family and friends in your wallet. And if your friendship is authentic, then Christ is the most authentic part.
I envision a message that takes a life time to tell.
