Pics Or It Didn't Happen

Last night I had an amazing opportunity to preach for COW, the middle school ministry for Christ Church of Oak Brook. Of course I quickly aged myself by exclaiming "pics or it didn't happen" during the sermon. The topic of conversation was James 2:14-17, faith and deeds. I was attempting to push the idea that we expect people to prove what they say which we can see in this in the passage "faith without deeds is dead."

As I was looking at this passage, I found it ironic that it was the same week I decided to share with you all the community I had in Texas with Kelly, Kaitlyn, and our Mi Casa they lead.

A lot of times we assume a certain form of "Christianese" should be use to communicate our faith to the world. I see time and time again people being smashed into this mold of what we think this ideal "Christian model" should be...how they speak, what they look like, who they spend their time with....

Jesus spent His time meeting people and loving them where they were in that moment. James pushes this further saying if we are the represent Christ, we need to show it through our actions. What we forget is that not everyone will be reached in the same way.

Kelly has this beautiful gift embracing his uniqueness and engaging those who are drawn to him in the love of Christ. I wish I could put into words how Kelly communicates Christ's love and reception in words, but I have to say it is truly done in action.

My question to you is, how can you celebrate your unique personality outside of a "Christianese" mentality and still represent Christ. Who in your life have you seen model this clearly? If Christ we're around today, how do you think He would interact with you, your family, and even your "enemies"?

Let me know what you think.

Until Monday, Cheers! Sam Jo.

Photo Credit: Phil Botha @philbotha via unsplash