Have you ever actually listened to an airline's pre-flight safety talk?
In the event that we lose cabin pressure, the yellow oxygen masks will drop from the overhead.
Airline quiz: Who is it that they instruct you to help first with oxygen?
Is it the child seated next to you? Or the worried looking person across the aisle?
It's you. "Place your own mask first, before assisting those around you."
It makes sense. You might pass out while starting to help someone else. And if everybody did that, there would be no one left to help!
The child and the anxious person across the aisle might figure it out on they're own, or they might not.
Be sure of yourself - so THAT you can help those around you.
I think of the airline oxygen sometimes when people pose the distracting spiritual conundrums...
"How will that remote culture's people ever be able to find about your Jesus?"
"How can you expect people to accept God when he lets these terrible things happen?"
"Why would anyone want to follow a God who did all those terrible things in the old testament?
Place your own mask first, before assisting those around you.
I've learned to ask, "but what do you think about Jesus? Why do you think terrible things happen? Do you think its the same God in the old testament and new testament? " Before we talk about what other people think, let's resolve what questions you have - that will give us the best perspective. And then maybe you can breathe easier.
This "what you believe" question is a good starting point for more productive, honest conversation. If the person asking these questions is sincere about seeking answers, they may then be able to explain them to the child in their care. Or the anxious neighbor next door. It's too easy for skeptics to throw out casual challenges about why "other" people should or should not believe. Its save them the trouble of having to make their own spiritual decisions.
What about God and all those other people out there who are struggling to find Him?
What do you believe?
No comments:
Post a Comment